Evan is at Camp Jumpstart this week, a camp run by our school district for kindergarten kids who need a little extra help for whatever reason to transition to first grade. We had a tough day yesterday dropping him off there–he cried a lot. And, we had a tough evening last night at soccer camp. I was spent last night and have carried that fatigue into today. When I went to pick him up this afternoon, there was a father there waiting for his daughter. He went on to tell me that his daughter has a twin brother but that the child is autistic and completely non-verbal at 6 years old. “Wow,” I said, “I can’t imagine how hard that must be.” He said that it is terribly hard and that the boy goes to a special school everyday that is about 40 minutes from here. My two younger kids were running around as we waited and I told them to calm down. He said, “I’d give anything to hear my son scream like that.” “I’m sure you would,” I said, sympathetically.

Changes my perspective on things today. One little statement from a father with heartache spoke loudly to me today.

Yesterday, I happened to schedule a dentist visit for myself at 4 pm as well as a well-check visit for Evan at the same time. So, I told Mark that I could either change one of the appointments, or he could take Evan to the doctor with the other two kids. He said he didn’t mind taking them. So, that’s what we did. So, this is what I don’t get: the dentist went on and on about what a great guy Mark is for taking the kids to the doctor. And, Mark was praised by another mom at the pediatrician’s office as well, “You have all 3 kids at the doctor’s yourself? Wow!” Okay, now, let me start by saying that Mark is a great father. I have no complaints for sure! I recognize that he is terrific. HOWEVER, I think it’s pretty sad that everyone is swooning over a dad who is willing to take his kids to the doctor. I mean, all dads should be able to do that. It shouldn’t be crazy and worthy of all that attention. Mark was being a dad. Are dads today generally so incompetent that Mark is the unusual case? I certainly hope not!