Reagan decided to switch up her hair a bit this week. It is now bright red, and I really like it. We were out last night for the opening of the new Agnes B. Store in Soho, so I thought it was a perfect opportunity to get a shot of it.

Switching gears completely: April is Autism awareness month. How do I know this? One of Reagan’s friends who happens to have a little guy with autism wrote this yesterday. As is so happens, my family growing up was also affected by Autism (and still is). My younger sister suffers from the disorder. It has been a difficult thing, even as her sibling. But the things that I have seen my parents to through is seriously next-level. I have so much respect for parents and families of people who suffer from autism. I also have massive respect for the professionals who have devoted their lives to working with people who suffer from the disorder. Anyway, as part of Autism awareness month, prominent landmarks will be lit up in blue. When I read on Talia’s page that the Empire State Building was going to be lit up blue for the cause, I knew I had to get a shot of it. If you are interested more in the Light it up Blue organization, you can check out the site, here.

I hope that everyone is having a great Saturday. In NYC, the snow is gone, and the sun is out. I feel like it is going to be a good one!

I read an article this week that really shook me up. I don’t feel like that happens very often . I guess it was because the subject matter hit so close to home. The piece appeared in GQ this month, titled “Unreachable” and was written by Karl Taro. It is about the author’s adult autistic brother, and the various institutions that he has been in and out of, over the years. I feel like its relevance to my life is two fold. The photo above was taken at my sister Mimi’s wedding a few years ago. Those are all of my sisters, minus Melinda. The one in the middle, Laura, is also autistic.  My parents adopted her when she was 3 years old, I was in my early teens. Because of that, my family and I have gone through the same roller coaster of guilt, frustration, etc. that author of the article outlines in his story. Laura is now in her early 20′s. My parents have been preparing for years, to get her placed in a home that everyone feels comfortable with, and the plan appears to be near fruition.

The other reason that this article hit home, is because of Piper. Sometimes it still blows my mind when I try to figure out why God chose me to be the earthly guardian of a little special needs child. At times, has been a very difficult affair. I believe that the complication of  logistics pale when compared with the emotional difficulties that are associated with having a special needs child. The article discusses the autistic boy’s transition to adulthood and the unspeakable things that befell him, during his tour of assisted living facilities. It made me shudder to think that anyone would ever mistreat a person who is already struggling through life like that. It also gave me a moment of sheer panic, thinking that Piper might some day be the victim of some awful act, and not even have the ability to tell anyone about it. Right now while Piper is a baby, it is easy for people to love her because she is so small and cute. The article made me wonder though, what will it be like when she grows up?

I’m realizing that this post has turned out to be kind of negative and a bit fatalistic. I didn’t really mean for it to be like that. I guess that the mitigating factor in all of this, is that ultimately I believe that God is in control. I believe that no matter what happens, he will make things right, whether it is in this life or the next. That knowledge gives me comfort.