Meet Annie the Angel...

Carson hasn't really expressed too much grief since my Dad suddenly and unexpectedly passed away in August of this year, aged just 51. Him being on the autistic spectrum means he behaves slightly unusually when it comes to things like this. Very logically and methodically. Not often very emotionally. Not that I'm bothered! I just want to make sure I don't under-estimate how he may be feeling just because he doesn't show it. 

But then he goes through periods like this...

Clinging onto his own personal photo of my Dad, taking it everywhere with him. He also has rang a bell on the tree a couple of times quietly exclaiming "here you are Grandad, a fresh wing for you" (It's a Wonderful Life!) then kisses his photo. He does this when he thinks I'm not watching.

My lovely friend Cheryl came around to see us yesterday and had something wonderful to share with Carson. I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I cried into my scarf on the couch and couldn't talk for at least 5 minutes afterwards. I asked if I could share her gesture with you guys as I truly think it's amazing - not just for a child with a condition that may make grieving a little tougher, but for any child at all. She said it was fine.

So, meet Annie the Angel. A teeny tiny porcelain angel that sleeps in a silk 'blue cloud blanket'. 

Anything Carson wants to tell his Grandad, anything at all, can be told to Annie. Then, at night when Carson is sleeping, Annie climbs out from under his pillow and out of her blue cloud blanket, she flies to heaven to check Grandad got the messages that were sent that day before returning back to Carson ready for some more messages. 

He so bought into this. He was touched. You could see it in his face. I thought he was going to cry but instead came over to me and hugged me. He told me to calm down and not to worry because I could use Annie whenever I wanted to as well. He is so caring. His eyes were glazed over and his mouth held differently. I swear he was going to cry.

Since Cheryl told this story and gifted Carson with Annie, the photo of my Dad sits peacefully next to the fish tank in the day then on his bedside table at night. 

Annie the Angel can be looked upon as a kind of emotional therapy for those who are maybe too young to express their grief, or have difficulty in doing so. I think it's a wonderful, wonderful gesture and to see how it affected Carson just got me. Amazing.

What do you think?

22 comments Tags: aspergers, autism, bereavement, child, emotional, grief, therapy

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