“Hey, you’re the one who wanted kids.”

That’s not true, we both did, but David teases me as we find all of our free time, like a lot of parents it seems, shuttling our kids to practices and games.  This past Wednesday was no exception.

Jack had a lacrosse game at 5:30, Kendall a lacrosse game at 6:30, both needed to be at their places by 5pm. (Kendall was meeting a friend for extra practice time before she had to be there.)  Jim was going to youth group at church and David would meet me at Jack’s game after work.

What was I going to do with Sarah?

I had no choice but to bring her to Jack’s game.  Thankfully, she found a toothbrush in the car, one of the ones we received from our dentist appointment last week, and she opened up the package and began chewing on the toothbrush.  I don’t know if it was oral sensory thing or that she was bored, but it kept her busy.  When David arrived to Jack’s game, I raced with Sarah to Kendall’s game.

The toothbrush lost its appeal and Sarah was loud; happy, but loud.  She was laughing loudly and repeated phrases that only made sense to her.  She repeated the announcer (or what she thought the announcer said) over and over again.  Kendall’s teammates on the bench turned around and stared.  They laughed and whispered to each other.  I tried to keep Sarah quiet but she thought that was funny and laughed all the more.

It hit me, ‘Am I embarrassing Kendall?’  Kendall was out on the field playing goalie and I wondered if she could hear Sarah.  I bet most of these girls had no idea Kendall has a twin sister or that she is severely autistic.  I didn’t think how Kendall would feel by me bringing Sarah to the game.

It was a tough game.  Kendall’s team was playing their rivals and the other team had a much better record coming into the game.   We hoped it wouldn’t be a blow out and be at least a respectable loss, but amazingly Kendall’s team won!  The team was beyond excited!  The girls, even the coach, couldn’t contain their excitement.  They stormed the field and jumped around Kendall tapping her helmet with their sticks in celebration.

I took Sarah out of the stands and we stood by the fence that surrounded the field.  Kendall came up to us and was beaming with joy.

“Sarah, I am so proud of you that you came!  All my team loves you!  They heard you and think you are so cute.   They said you are our mascot and they want you to come to more games!  I love you, Sarah!!” With that, Kendall leaned across the fence and kissed her sister on the check.  Sarah looked down but a small smile was on her face.

I should have known not to be fearful; they have sister love!!  Kendall loves her sister and has always been so proud of her.  The Lord gave me such a treasure in Kendall!  Her bond with her twin sister is a precious gift, one that has not been spoiled by autism.  In fact, it has only deepened it.

“Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes for God…There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear…” I John 4:7, 18

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