19 Years Young

This past weekend, my middle little turned 19 years old. Preston is my most polite child. All of my children have good manners but he is EXTREMELY polite. Every Single Time we are in a social setting since he was 5 years old, I have been told how polite he is.

Preston is also my child who struggled the most to be inside his own body. He has had a very difficult journey and has come so far! He is witty and creative and so so kind. He puts everyone else’s needs before his own. He has a gift for music. He has been asked to sing the National Anthem multiple times since he was 10 years old. Sporting Events, School Events, City Events ~ He is in demand. He is also my piano player and often gifts me music on my birthday and Christmas that he performs.

Preston was a twin and I lost his sibling early in the pregnancy. I remember praying for him to hold on, and stay strong. After he was born, I always had a lingering feeling that Preston’s twin was still meant to be. Maybe in my future. After he too was diagnosed as Autistic, I still held onto that feeling. My family thought I was nuts! “Tiffany! You have 2 Autistic kids, you do NOT need more on your plate!”

Growing up I always wanted 10 kids. I gave up that dream after Trinity was Diagnosed, but I was already pregnant again with Preston. I just knew with my entire being that there was one more. I was a foster parent for a few years and made a difference, but that wasn’t where I was supposed to be.

10 years later I was married to someone new & that’s when the baby came. The baby I KNEW I was supposed to have. Now I was done.

I share this story because I want you to know – Preston is BEST FRIENDS with this delayed sibling. You wouldn’t even know there are 10 years between them. His Autism makes him the same “age”. They enjoy the same things, play the same video games and watch the same movies. When Preston goes to a store while in transition academy (A daily skills school for disabled adults) he ALWAYS gets something for his little brother.

God makes no mistakes. It also confirms to me to trust my gut.