Almost daily, that phrase pops into my head – Lily needs time to be Lily. Her very first ABA therapist, Ann, said this when Lily was only 18 months old and it struck me – even then. This kid spends most of her days working – trying to do things that you and I take for granted. Like picking up a fork and putting it to your mouth, walking a straight line, talking. And you know what? Sometimes all the work has to just stop. Lily needs time to do the things she wants. So every day, I try to give her that opportunity. This evening, I took her out to dinner to celebrate the end of a busy week. She chose the restaurant. And then afterwards, she chose where we walked and what we did. Tonight we crashed a jazz concert. Who knew this kid liked jazz??? She won the hearts of everyone in the crowd, including the musicians. She has a way with people. So what else does this kid like to do?

• Making friends with fellow diners, and trying to get some of their food
• Cuddling up to cute guys with iPads
• Running down the street while listening to her favorite tunes
• Practicing stair-climbing
• Admiring every shiny car wheel she sees
• Looking at flowers in bloom
• Sometimes wanting to hold my hand
• Sometimes giving me cuddles and kisses
• Giggling
• Yelling
• Tummy patting
• Wading through puddles
• Looking up at the trees
• Smiling
• Dancing

Watching her – completely content in activities of her choosing – makes me so very happy. Sometimes I feel like the luckiest mommy in the world.

Earlier today, excited about the school dance she was about to attend!