Sex

     There are three topics you don’t discuss with others apparently and they are: sex, religion and politics. Sex is always a tricky one and no less so when you are the parents of a neurodiverse adult. Watching “Love on the Spectrum” recently I noticed that it was a topic that came up frequently. If you have not seen it, I recommend it for the glimpse it gives into the yearnings and mindsets of many atypical young folks and their families. I believe the point of the show is that neurodiverse adults want to have rich, fully realized, authentic life experiences and this includes love and its physical expression. Our kids are inundated from many different sources with graphic portrayals of all kinds but especially of sex. That and the brief and scientific sex education they received in elementary school does not really convey all there is to know. The nuances of intimate relationships are as individual as the people involved; love is love and it’s different for everyone. 

     In reading my dad’s love letters to my mum when they were first together, I realized that no matter who you are, some things are unknowable; that quick, sure, confusing, slow immersion from friendship to attraction to love is a unique path for each of us. It cannot be explained—- it just is. And like any parent, you watch, you listen, you hope, you pray and you love. Whether your child is neurotypical or not, this is a road that you cannot walk with them. You must stand at the side and hope that they remember all that you said and did and if not that then, that they are loved.

Pride

      Hayley and I had the pleasure of representing The Church of the Holy Trinity at the White Rock Family Pride Day last Saturday. We were glad to see our new tent set up, brightly decorated with the colourful sun catchers our Children’s Chapel had recently made. We had Holy Trinity bags, lanyards, cards and bookmarks to hand out as well as sun catchers and the children’s hand-painted rocks that were so popular at our Christmas Market. So many people were thrilled with our offerings. It was a very happy, upbeat day festooned with balloons, bubbles, music and singing. We encouraged everyone who passed by our table to take “a bag for your swag” as fellow volunteer Cindy so smartly put it and most folks did. Many people stopped and chatted and some thanked us for being there, specifically as a church organization, one of the only two there. 
     Hayley and Stella made the rounds of the other tables and were impressed with the generosity and community spirit on display. I was so delighted by the outpouring of volunteer support from our own parishioners who represented our church and epitomized the love of Jesus Christ by showing love for all our neighbours regardless of “race, age, culture, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, previous religious affiliation, or socioeconomic status”. Everyone was truly welcome and I was so proud to be part of this experience. It was a day for children and families and one my family was happy to share.