My Atypical Family

AN ATYPICAL LIFE G a s l E By

r e n d r a

ELSA GARDNER

AN ATYPICAL LIFE

I decided to write this book because I want to inspire others the same way my family inspires me.

They are my rock and I hope that your beloved ones are your rock too.

Never give up!

There is always a light that can shine and cure your life.

-Elsa

nt a t oR p M T I S MO e S Th d I l oR w he T In G N I TH .

VE O D L N A LY I M FA

N DE O O W N OH J -

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5

Sam’s Graduation Casey’s big news The renovation day The visit What’s next

CHAPTER 1 SAM'S GRADUATION

When Sam was diagnosed, I thought about everything, except seeing him graduated from college. I admit that I was so negative about Sam's chances of growing in a 'normal' society, but he constantly demonstrated the opposite.

And that's one of the virtues I admire about him.

Now I see him, in his cap and gown and I am so proud of him. He really grew up and maturate, has a group of friends that support him and a beautiful girlfriend. I would be lying if I said E H T that I'm not jealous of that! But Paige is a G I B really good girl for Sam !! !

Y A and I'm grateful that D she's in his life.

Well, this kind of accomplishments made me realize that I have to be less overprotective with Sam. Thart has allowed me to focus on the stuff that I have been, voluntarily, delaying and I've been working on fix unsolved things, like rebuilding my marriage with Doug or my relationship with Casey.

- Elsa! Common we have to see Sam's speech now. We will take photos later!!

-Honey, listen to your daughter. You'll have much time later please let's move.

They seem rough, but I know that they love me and will be there for me anytime. I am very grateful and lucky that these two are part of my family. I don't even imagine my life without them.

Casey is a very good daughter and sister with Sam. She's always making sure that her brother is okay every day. Now Doug strengthened his relationship with Sam (and I'm ALSO jealous of that haha! Because Sam doesn't want my help for many things now).

AS

SA M

A

RE M IN DE R

DO ES PH N OT 'T OS LI K ! !

SO E TH E PH YO OT U' OS LL TH SE CH E AT AP IN TE TH R IS AR E 'B AD SO QU RR AL Y IT FO Y' R TH AT !

But I'm ok with that because now Sam can count on his dad and that's all I have wanted. Doug is an amazing dad and a wonderful husband.

Months ago we went through a very difficult time as a couple, but now we're back and have a very healthy marriage. I really love him so much! And he was a vital character in Sam's college life so I cannot be luckier than that. Seeing Sam's receiving his college title was very emotional. We all cry and he looked us weird.

- Why are you crying? I'm only graduating. I don't live with you now. We went over this a long time ago!

7 years old Sam

21 years old Sam

So handsome right? I wish that he would stay like this forever. But as you read, he also decided to live alone with his friend Zahid. (Leaving Elsa's nest, noooo! Haha) Can we just talk a little about Zahid? He's a very extrovert man, but he is the one that continues challenging Sam to move on. So for that, and not tell him about this, I love him so much Sam surprises me every time, but I know that he's one of my role models in life. He is so determinate and responsible in every aspect of his life. That's why all of us were crying.

ike l Y LL A RE d l ou w ion ! I t O c S ea AL r he t ee s ith o t s w r he t o m nd a f o e er in c n n si re d h l c hi su c ive t rip c s s! de e i r to s eir h t

- Mom can you leave me alone? I'm an independent man now. I've my own department with Zahid that makes noisy parties and Paige that wants to kiss me and more every time that we're alone.

Don't blame for forcing my child to have a photo with me! I really miss him and that's why I cooked for his graduation regardless that going to a fancy and really noisy restaurant.

I prepared Sam's favourite meal: chicken tenders from the box. Also we decided to finish packing the rest of Sam's things (I took the opportunity to take a picture of everyone helping).

I am really gonna miss him. But Doug makes me think that it's a very decisive step that Sam has to take. At the time that we're eating the dinner that I made for all of us, Casey seems very anxious. Sam was talking about submarine species in the Antartida but then Casey interrupt him and said: - I have some really big news too, and I want all of your attention.

Everyone was so confused and then I said: - Darling, what's going on?

- I want you to meet someone, uh my... partner.

I don't know what was the big news! Like I met Casey's boyfriends before, but now there were many reactions and feelings that day.

CHAPTER 2 CASEY'S BIG NEWS

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CASEY'S

BIG NEWS

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ELSA GARDNER Elsa Gardner is Sam and Casey Gardner's Mother.

She attends a weekly support group on Autism with other mothers. She‘s Doug Gardner's wife and a hairdresser. As a part of her big projects, she decided to publish her diary because it has many stories that she wasn't going to share until now. It has inedit stories about her and her family. Also, the diary includes photos and notes, triyng to make it as personal as possible.

"WHAT WE DO IN LIFE

HAS ITS ECHO IN

ETERNITY"

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