Yesterday our friend, Karlea, tagged me in a FB post from our nearby donut shop. Paradise Donuts was reminding all their customers that it was National Donut Day, and that they were giving everyone a FREE donut. Karlea just knew that Aaron would love stopping in for a donut. Soon I was explaining National Donut Day to Aaron, asking him if he wanted to stop on our way to his day group for a donut. YAY!!
NOT yay.
I must backtrack a bit to explain. Nearly every day at Paradigm (Aaron’s day group), Antoine or another staff will take Aaron to the nearby QuikTrip. I send money with Aaron, and he is able to buy something to eat and drink. He absolutely loves this small outing. His QuikTrip visit is ingrained into his routine now.
Back to yesterday.
Me: Aaron, today is National Donut Day. Paradise Donuts is giving away a free donut to everyone that comes in. Would you like to stop there on our way to Paradigm? We can get a free donut!
Aaron: No.
Me: What? You don’t want a donut? A FREE donut?!
Aaron (a little more emphatically): No!
Me: Why don’t you want a donut?
Aaron: I want to go to QuikTrip.
Me: I’m still sending money and you can still go to QuikTrip.
Aaron: I like Antoine taking me to QuikTrip for food.
Me: Antoine will still take you to QuikTrip for food.
Aaron: I like QuikTrip food, NOT a donut!
Me: But you like donuts. Just a few days ago you were happy that we stopped to get donuts.
Aaron: I like Antoine taking me to QuikTrip more than you taking me for a donut!
These conversations usually lead to personal insults as Aaron attempts to drive home the fact that on Paradigm days…almost always…QuikTrip is what he does and where he goes for food and fun.
Nothing will deter him from his routine.
Not even a donut.
Not with Mom.
I dropped it like a hot donut and took Aaron to Paradigm.
Later, when I picked Aaron up, he told me about his day.
Aaron: Mom, they had donuts at Paradigm for donut day.
Me: Oh, that’s fun! Did you eat one?
Aaron: No.
Me: You didn’t eat a donut?!
Aaron: No.
Me: Why not?!
Aaron: I didn’t want one. I wanted to go to QuikTrip.
I decided to just drop it. Aaron didn’t see me shaking my head.
After a few moments of silence:
Aaron: Antoine took me to QuikTrip!
Me: Good! What did you buy today?
Aaron: I bought two donuts.
There are not enough letter combinations in the English alphabet for me to form enough words to voice what I was thinking and feeling and wanting to say at that moment.
Just as well.
Laughter is far better than lectures during these times.
BUT I WANT A DONUT!!!!!
He Said What?! 
Well then go get one. 😀
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I should! 😁
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Agree “Laughter is far better than lectures during these times”
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I laugh a lot 😃
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Simple pleasures- Quick Trip with a friend. It is wonderful Aaron has a connection with someone.
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Yes, Antoine is a real blessing. We’re thankful for staff there who love Aaron.
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Patty, Aaron hands down never fails to surprise me. That is so funny!!
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The longer I think about it the funnier it gets, too. And he has no clue. 😁
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Patty, your title for this donut day experience was perfect. Oh the grace it takes to laugh rather than lecture. You painted the entire experience so well that laughter is what came to my lips the moment I read “I bought two donuts.”
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And the way he was so clueless about how funny it was made it even funnier. 😀 That’s life with Aaron and autism!
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Lol. Aaron was adamant about not wanting a donut. But I wish I had one right now. 🤗
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One reason I was so disappointed that he didn’t want that free donut was because I would have gotten one, too! 😅
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Oh my goodness this is equally funny and a head slapper. I probably would have stopped at the donut shop after dropping him off and had two donuts justifying the calories by saying it was better than a margarita! Ha! Seriously though, this story is like a stand up comedy routine it’s so funny! I also laughed out loud when he said “I bought two donuts.”
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Better than a margarita! Hahaha!! You need to be my go-to for great advice, Cecilia! 😁
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Yes, laughter is the only way to respond to that! You are very patient, and you know exactly when to speak and when to let something go!
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Well, sometimes I know and sometimes I don’t do well at holding back. Every day is a new day. 😍
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No one is perfect, and as you say, each day is a chance to start over!
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Oh, how HILARIOUS!! I don’t know how you keep yourself from exploding with laughter when these moments occur. I suppose it’s Mother-Love that gives you the grace to save your giggles for later!
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Sometimes I do laugh and he looks at me with a dead pan face, which makes me laugh more. Other times, laughter makes him angry so I have to stop. I need extra grace for that, yes. And prayers that I don’t explode 😃
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😂😂😂oh my goodness!❤️
This reminds me how sometimes God tries to get us to do a certain thing and yet we want to go our own way but often times end up doing the very thing that God wanted us to do yet we’ve taken the very long road to get there…sort of like the Israelites finally making it to the promised land only after 40 years! We are certainly a stubborn people!!! ..But arriving…🙏
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Good insight, Alicia, and very true.
P.S. I still want a donut 😁
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This made me literally laugh out loud! You gotta love it!
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He’s a mess! Later that evening he wanted to go grab a burger for supper. When I asked him if he was ready to go, he stared down at his watch and then said, “It’s not five o’clock yet.” AAAHHH!! 😁
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What’s wrong with you, Patty!? Don’t you know dinner is supposed to be at 5:00! Hahaha. You should have said, “It’s 5:00 somewhere!” Blessings!
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You made me laugh so hard! Aaron loves Alan Jackson so maybe he would have tolerated that response. 😄
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