Mark just called. He just made his second visit to his oldest brother, Paul, in 30 years today.
Last year, after all we've been through with Tommy....he decided to finally go see Paul.
I don't blame him...in 1965, that's what people did....their doctors told them to put their kids, their very complicated autistic kids, into institutions. So that's what they did. It's what the doctor ordered, right?
Last fall...after having a son with autism, he decided to go see Paul. Even though they (the parents? the social workers?) had decided to let him be, as a ward of the state of Wisconsin (a GREAT state to be autistic in, by the way). They had said he might be too upset by the visit...but he wasn't. Mark took him some Beatles CDs, which he had loved in his childhood. Mark gave him a hug. Here's the hard part. When Paul was a child. He would give a big "patty-pat-pat-pat-pat-pat hug." 30 years later, Mark went to see him at his really good home-care place in Wisconsin. What do you think Paul did? Patti-pat-pat-pat-pat-pat-pat. MARK!!!!!!

So if you think we ain't got no family baggage here.....

Today, Mark went again.....for the second time in 30 years.....Paul did patti-pat...they talked....Mark delivered more Beatles music (the social workers said Paul could not talk, but he can sing these songs) and sat with Paul.....he only says a few words...he's, I don't know, do you say, severe? But he's there, in Wisonconsin. Basicallly happy, I mean, you think you could do better?

I look at Tommy, and I wonder about his future, so unwritten. People say there is so much you can do these days, for autism. We're doing it all of it...but there's no cure, you know.

But I have long since forgiven Paul's mom....you think that you could handle an autistic child, with 4 others, do you? You think in 1965, you would have been an exception?

Think, think, and forgive.