Practically Perfect
When I was in the fourth grade, I discovered the Mary Poppins books. I ran across copies I purchased for one of my daughters the other day, and the phrase “practically perfect in every way” popped into my mind. I’ve been pondering that phrase ever since. It occurred to me that, in my eyes at least, each of my children is practically perfect in every way. I am not blind to their challenges, but I love them despite (or maybe, even more because of) them.
As we count down to Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (March) and Autism Acceptance Month (April), it is my hope that every individual has at least one person in their life that views them as “practically perfect” – accepting them without reservation or condition. This, to me, is the very essence of acceptance.
Recently, I had the privilege to volunteer at Autism Society of Central Ohio’s Valentine’s Day party. It had been a while since I attended an all-age family event like this. I was reminded of just how unique each person with Autism is. There were the two children who never stopped running and jumping the whole event – watching them both tired me out and energized me. Their exuberance was infectious! There was the teen who walked in, felt overwhelmed, and immediately sat with his back to the room until he was calm enough to participate more. I had to admire his ability to assess the situation and find his comfortable spot in it. I chatted several times with a young man who wasn’t sure how he felt about the event being held in a church. Although he repeated himself, I had to admire his willingness to verbally process the matter. Everyone there was practically perfect in every way.
Kathi J. Machle, President
