04/02/2026
April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day. Jake turned 30 this past December which means we have been on this autism journey a very long time – It also means I have written a version of this story many times. And as I sit at the Farm in the pouring dreary rain I am thinking back at the year - this year was a bit different – it has been a challenging year for our family outside of our autism life. Although let’s be honest there is no part of our lives that isn’t influenced by autism. But the “normal” challenges of life – elderly parents- personal health- changes into adulthood – all the usual topics of concerns for people of our age are magnified by the challenges of autism.
I used to say that Jake was the Sun in our Solar system and we were all the planets revolving around him –the moons and tides and everything in his orbit are influenced by Jake. That is how we have functioned as a family – autism and Jake’s abilities to cope and overcome are always at the forefront of our lives. BUT, sometimes there has to be a Solar Eclipse – and something else needs to take over and the Sun is in shadow. This has been a year of eclipse.
I wont bore you with all the ways this year has been chaotic or the list of “this too shall pass” that I keep in my head, instead I want to tell you about how Jake has been a Rockstar! This was the year we celebrated the 5th Anniversary at the Farm – a huge part of our lives and an accomplishment for which I truly have no words – it is not exactly what we thought of when we planned a little farm for Jake – it is so much more in all the ways that matter. People, horses, experiences and of course the ever-changing rhythm of a farm that brings Jake new and different ways to grow. The people in our Jigsaw Lives are a gift and we will be forever grateful that the 20 years of planning brought us to this place and these people into our orbit and that we are surrounded by their positive energy.
The Dream Bubble long planned for Jake of having his own home and Farm has become a reality. It has been more than 25 years since Jake’s diagnosis and our belief for him has always been to have the fullest most independent life possible – no matter how we got there or what it looked like. A full life- friends- a job – independence. Well this year we made major strides in fulfilling that mission. Jake has a lovely Roomie and has taken up part time residence at the “The Founder’s House” – and while it is still a work in progress, we could not be more proud of Jake or the team around him – including his Big Brother and favorite human – Matt – with whom none of this would be possible – especially during the eclipse.
Jake is thriving and learning and growing and as always continues to reach beyond any bar we have set. Milestone after milestone he strives for more. That is Jake – loud, cranky, sassy, funny, inquisitive honest and hard working – full of love for his people and animals. We are grateful for our family, for our friends, for the support of a community that cheers us on – but mostly we are Grateful for this very SPECIAL little man who inspires us and reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously and has made us all into who we are.
So hopefully, this serves as a reminder to just keep on walking on your journey – sometimes we run, sometimes we walk, and sometimes we go backwards – and hopefully sometimes it is on a quiet beach with the sound of the ocean – the important part is to keep going!!
