Top 10 Reasons Life Is Better With Charlie

by Kristina Chew, PhD on December 13th, 2007

1) I have my pick of some nice fleece pullovers and long-sleeve shirts that Charlie wore for only a short time, before getting too big for them.

2) I get a great tan in the summer without ever once having to sunbathe or apply any tanning products: Charlie and I are always out on a walk or at the pool. Or just out.

3) I get to spend two weeks at the ocean because that’s where Charlie is most at home.

4) I am training a young and very serious sous-chef, who has great powers of observation. Tonight we cooked chicken, noodles, and spring rolls (aka “summer rolls”).

5) I get to feel like Emma Peel from The Avengers even though I’m driving a black stationwagon with a scratched up CD playing the soundtrack to a Hollywood remake of a 1960s TV show and, being 5 feet tall, I prefer not to wear hose boots.

6) I get to live in New Jersey, my husband Jim’s native state where we moved back to in 2001, so Charlie could go to school here—I get to see the skyline of lower Manhattan as I drive to work on the Skyway.

7) I got to stand 12 inches away from Jenny McCarthy in Atlanta. (She could manage the hose boots much better than me.)

8) I learned how to swim after years and years of being terrified to go into the “deep end.” (I had to chase Charlie in the pool, lest he swim into some senior citizen swimming laps.)

9) I learned the beauty of the unexpected.

10) I’m writing this list and this blog, and I’ve met so many lovely, amazing, special people who’ve helped me help Charlie.

If I may quote broken-down former boxer Terry Malloy as played by Marlon Brando in the 1954 film On the Waterfront, “It was you, Cholly, it was you!”—–if it wasn’t for Charlie, I don’t know where I’d be or what I’d do. Because of Charlie, I know.

“It was you, Cholly, it was you!”

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Marla
Dec 13, 2007 at 11:46 am

Very sweet. I love your line about learning the beauty of the unexpected.
tracey
Dec 13, 2007 at 11:55 am

My sentiments. My two boys have taught me not only to be a better person, but to be the better “me”. I don’t have time for self-doubt anymore. It’s not a matter of “Can I?” It is a matter of “I will!”
Gabrielle
Dec 13, 2007 at 12:35 pm

Beautiful post.
Joel Wallace
Dec 13, 2007 at 2:22 pm

Hello, Ms. Chew.
I’ve been reading and talking about your blog for months and I’ve always appreciated your thoughtful and sensitive comments about the importance of language when speaking of all people. However, it’s the way you express the pure affection for your son that is my favorite part of your writing. I’m happy for your family, and hope I somehow express the same affection to my son.
Thank you.
Autismville
Dec 13, 2007 at 3:43 pm

As always, just beautiful.

Thank you…
Bink
Dec 13, 2007 at 8:41 pm

The beauty of the unexpected…that sums it up for me. Thank you.
Regan
Dec 13, 2007 at 8:52 pm

Thank you Kristina. Beautiful post.
(Aww, I bet there are way more then 10 reasons though–these are just the top 10, right? :-) ).
Schwartz
Dec 13, 2007 at 10:30 pm

Great post!
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Dec 13, 2007 at 10:52 pm

[…] Kristina at Autism Vox gave us a very endearing look into her personal life with, Top 10 Reasons Life Is Better With Charlie. […]
Kristen King
Dec 14, 2007 at 12:48 am

Christina, I think this might be my favorite post of yours. Like, ever. :]

Kristen
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Grace
Dec 14, 2007 at 12:44 pm

Kristina… you really have a way of making me appreciate the simple and profound. now I’m thinking of ways my own life is better because of my kids, and not the grand themes but simply for having them in my life.
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Dec 16, 2007 at 10:18 am

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Alicia Sparks, NAMI Affiliation Leader
Dec 17, 2007 at 1:42 pm

I love 9, and your tie in with On the Waterfront :)