Hello Beginning
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When Simon finished his first horse session at RideAble today he asked me this question, "Do you think this will be a powerful memory?"
"Of course it will be." I answered as I helped him change out of his boots and back into his tennis shoes.
"Will it protect me when I encounter Dementors?"
Ah, a very specific Harry Potter reference.
What he was wondering, this awesome boy of mine, was if this memory would be powerful enough to become his patronus.
Harry Potter fans will recognize this quickly, others may need an explanation:
"This ancient and mysterious charm conjures a magical guardian, a projection of all your most positive feelings. The Patronus Charm is difficult, and many witches and wizards are unable to produce a full, corporeal Patronus, a guardian which generally takes the shape of the animal with whom they share the deepest affinity. You may suspect, but you will never truly know what form your Patronus will take until you succeed in conjuring it." (Miranda Goshawk)
An animal with whom they share the deepest affinity.
The way the Patronus charm works is that the wizard must concentrate, with all their might, on a single, very happy memory to protect themselves in the darkest moments.
What Simon was telling me, through this short conversation, was that he loved this experience.
The truth is, he didn't need to tell me.
I could see it in the way he was paying attention, in the way he was careful and kind, and in the way he smiled at me when he caught my eye.
Simon was on a horse once before if I remember correctly, many years ago down in Bandon on the Oregon coast. That horse, as Chris and my parents will remember, was named Silver. Today he met Chica and he was smitten.
We signed him up for these lessons with the hope that it would be something he could get excited about and connect with (to the horses, to the instructors, to the other students, to the experience).
Today was an awesome beginning.
Life is for living. And for making memories and learning new things and finding stuff to get excited about and sharing deepest affinities.
#gosimongo
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74 comments
I love everything about this. My ASD son - same age as Simon - just started reading the Harry Potter books and watching the movies about 2 months ago. He's on "Goblet of Fire" now and has really connected with the series (and I love it, too, so that doesn't hurt). The patronus thing is so cool - it shows complex thinking and making ties to real life and literature. Love it.
Replies to crazystampwoman
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Ok, that made me cry. GO SIMON GO!
Replies to Dcorder
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I love your Simon posts. I myself have Asperger's - or, as I prefer to say, I am an Aspergian human - so I find myself really connecting to these stories. Not only do I relate to them for myself but I know there is a good chance I may have an Aspergian/autistic child in the future, and you are a great example as a parent! =) I usually feel like I understand animals better than humans, so I'm sure Simon is loving and gaining confidence from having an animal to bond with. You both rock! =)
Replies to mbmccarthy
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Simon's question made me smile. Truly...
Replies to lucrecer
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As a true HP addict (the first thing I thought a few weeks ago as I walked out the door into a foggy morning: "Dementors are breeding...") this makes me so happy. I love how his brain works, and I love how your knowledge of the reference makes you understand what he is really telling you.
Thank you for sharing this story :)
Replies to slnieland
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So awesome!
Replies to jenjohnson2
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This is wonderful! Very happy for You and Simon to have found something he is so passionate and excited about <3
Replies to fauvevanmaanen
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What a lovely post. I'm so happy for Simon and for you. I remember very clearly my first experience of riding a horse when I must have only been 6 or 7. The age is not overly important, but the feeling I felt, the complete and utter joy was. I had a biggest smile on my face, I literally couldn't stop myself from smiling. I was happy, So very happy and I fell in love straight away. When I was 9 I was given a pony and he lived until I was pregnant with my first baby 20 years later. I still miss him 12 years on. He would be my patronus for sure.
Replies to Jobo74
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What a sweetheart! I want to start asking myself that question whenever I notice joy and happiness in my life. Would this help me if I encountered Dementors? Because sometimes we do. And we need those good memories. :)
Replies to JenBradshaw
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I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan and I appreciate the depth of Simon's question. What a thoughtful and intelligent young man!!!
Replies to Michelle_K
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Expecto patronum indeed. Awesome story!
Replies to iowahootie
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a patronus for Simon! How wonderful <3
Replies to katiethecreativelady
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