The first week back at school has been Tough with a capital T around our house! Anyone else feel my pain? Getting back into schedule after two weeks, complete with tutors and therapy, has been brutal for poor Cooper. The positive thing is that he has been holding it together relatively well at school and saving the tough stuff for home. I’m good with that. This is the safe place for him to do what he needs to do.
Tonight after his therapist left he had a bit of sobby-sad time. As he was nearing the end of it he looked up at me with his baby blues and said, “Can I ask you a question?”
Me, “Of course, anything you want.” (bad phrasing, by the way…)
Cooper said, “Can I have East Side Mario’s for lunch tomorrow at school?”
East Side Mario’s is a restaurant. *sigh* Sometimes I’ll do anything to help him pull through. So of course I said, “Ok.” And the smile that said, “Thanks, Mom” told me it was the right thing to do for him. I called East Side Mario’s and placed a take-out order. After the kids were in bed I drove over to pick it up. The food was in a generic take-out container and the bag was plain white plastic. I wanted Cooper to know it really came from East Side Mario’s so I asked the girl, “Do you have a paper napkin or something with your restaurant name and logo on it?”
She looked a bit confused. So I continued, “My son has autism. He really wants East Side Mario’s for lunch tomorrow and that is what this food is for. It would make him really happy to be able to see something that tells him that is where this came from.”
She so sweetly went to see what she could find. A minute later, a manager came out with a special East Side Mario’s VIP card for Cooper. (He LOVES anything with the letters “P” and “I” on it). She also gave me a VIP card with a discount %. He is going to love his lunch tomorrow and I am impressed with the kindness of the E.S.M. staff. 5 stars for customer service. Now, in addition to loving the fact that they put real bacon on their Caesar salad – I have a new reason to love them. 
Thanks East Side Mario’s!
~ Peace.
Do you ever wonder Kim, if you would have met so many wonderful people if you didn’t have a reason for late night runs to ESM? I think that dealing with Cooper’s autism has enriched your life almost as much as you have enriched and educated your loyal readers..and of course your lucky kids! What did Cooper get in his ESM lunch bag??? I haven’t had supper yet..I’m hungry!!
It is so true Elaine that the amazing people I have been able to connect with because of Cooper have blessed me (us) tremendously!! Cooper had Penne pasta with Napolitana sauce and meatballs!