Dear Target Mom,

Or Walmart Mom, or Trader Joe's Mom, or Mom that passed us on the bike path...

I see that look. I see your sappy smile with no eye contact and the quick look away. I know what you're thinking. And you're wrong. You're thinking for a brief moment about how grateful you are that you aren't me. You're thinking how fortunate you are that your child was born "normal," with no special needs. Maybe for the next hour you'll have more patience with your stuck-in-the-shopping-cart, screaming 2-year-old. Good. 

Tree-climber

Appreciate that healthy baby, Momma. Thank your lucky stars, for now. Cause I've got news for you: My kid wasn't born this way either. He was a healthy 6 pound 6 ouncer. He met all of the developmental milestones on time or ahead of time. He read above grade level. He was a whiz at math. He won writing awards. He drew with such fine detail and imagination. He spoke with ease and eloquence to adults. He jumped and ran and climbed trees and dug in the sand on the beach.

Hiker

Chef

And then he got cancer. Cancer took my healthy baby away, and it can take yours too. The only known risk factor for childhood cancer is being a child. 

Sincerely,

Me

P. S.  My house was decorated for Halloween on October 3rd. Costumes (even the Dog's) are ready, candy is purchased and being eaten. Now. Not wasting any more time.