AN OFF WEAK WITH A HAPPY ENDING

What a terrible training week. Kick offs and kids off only allowed me to get in one CF session and two four mile runs. I feel tired, cranky and generally miserable.

Not to be confused with how I felt last night! Rocking the Bancroft Butterfly Ball with KTo and Dr. Feelgood was an absolute blast. Celebrating the magic of Bancroft and all that has been done for my Jackie and others with developmental disabilities was an incredible experience. (The mini egg rolls and the bartender I bribed to keep the last of the Amstels hidden on ice weren't bad either.)

I proudly told all of the rich bitches at the shin dig that I was a proud parent of a child with a developmental disability. In most circles, stating that your child has Autism only gets you awkward stares and unwanted pity. But at the Butterfly Ball, telling others that my Jack is being cured at the skillful hands of the brilliant Bancroft professionals turned my platform open-toe Michael Kors' stilettos into tiny glass slippers. And even though I was the only chick rocking a black-pants-off-the-shoulder catsuit at the ball, I felt like a modern-day Cinderella in faux jewels and false eyelashes.

In my twisted tale, Dr. G is my fairy Godfather and KTo is my non-wicked stepsister. Jack is my prince, and even though he's not ready to marry me just yet, he can give and accept physical affection and spiritual love. What more could I ask for? A prince closer to my age? An unassisted pull up? A sub-22 5K? All in good time friends.

There's a few things I've learned over the past four years. Searching for a missing child that's right next to you is a daunting task. Looking for happiness in an environment of despair can seem impossible. Struggling for strength when you feel like giving up is exhausting. That said--finding your child and creating the environment he needs to be happy and strong is it's own reward. No, it's probably not the way I would have written my Happily Ever After, but it's my tale, and it's the stuff dreams are made of.

Thanks KTo and Fairy G for all of your nonsense. I love it so. Special thanks Bancroft for making the event open bar. I was buzzed enough to dance that line between appropriate and inappropriate which is always a good laugh for everyone at the United Way table (except for that one wife who is so annoyed with me that she makes her husband leave early). Lastly, BIG props to Fred for the fabulous dance moves. I'd like to say I was your Ginger, but the original Ginger lush was in the house and was mixing her cocktail choices, so I'm happy being Cinderella. Come over with the platform stiletto when you are ready, and we will see if it fits.

See you at 7am Crossfit. I'll pay the piper for my absence, but that's okay. After writing this post, I'm much less tired, cranky and generally not miserable.