Fresh Ink 2020
MY SWEET BOY - THIRD PLACE Jenny Butterfield* It felt like a lifetime, I was a mom of two. Two beautiful girls who filled my heart, And made me feel the type of love I never even knew. By some kind of miracle, I was blessed to mother three. But never could I understand, How things will really be. Months later I had my first ultrasound, I learned I was blessed to raise a boy into a man. I knew it would be different because I only had daughters, But I also knew no matter what, I’d do the best I can. Finally the day came and I got to see my boy, That same love I felt for my girls came rushing in. I couldn’t ease the need to want to kiss him so much. As the days and months went by, I quickly realized, He didn’t like my touch. Long hours away from home, not seeing him all day, I’d rush back home, run through the door, but he wouldn’t even look my way. He didn’t respond to his name, He didn’t like hide and seek. It wasn’t too long after that, I realized he couldn’t speak. He was diagnosed with severe autism At the age of two, People say that he tested too early, But deep inside my heart I feel... like I already knew. 50
