Special Mom’s blog

Today’s post is not what I planned on making. This was a last-minute decision that I made just a few hours ago. 

I am not going to talk about hundreds of miles of traveling today. Just a 60-mile round trip, we try to make it to our local Sri Venkateshwara Temple. Sri Venkateshwara Temple is located in Monroeville, a few miles west of Pittsburgh. To get here, you need to travel through a couple of tunnels and bridges. Pittsburgh has nearly 446 bridges, more than any other city in the world. The traffic is not easy or free-flowing. The hurdles are many. Traveling regularly to a temple with typical kids is not easy. So imagine how hard it must be for a person with special needs and their families. 

Yet, we have traveled to SV Temple to have our religious, cultural, and spiritual needs satisfied. My younger son spent twelve years with their Sunday religious program. Everyone’s birthday is spent praying to our favorite Lord in the Temple. The past year, with my younger son off to college, we have had more time on our hands, and the extra time has been spent here. 

A few years ago, when I was given the job of being my son’s aide, I was told about the activities I could do with my son. I was encouraged to take my special boy to the temple.It satisfied him to be out in the community for the day. 

This was another encouraging factor, and we have seen to it that he travels to the temple with us. We find a calm and quiet time where he can participate and be part of the community. 

The past few months have been even better. He has started attending religious events. He also seems to be more comfortable around crowds. Yes, I do give him his puzzle on the iPad, which does keep him occupied. But he seems to enjoy the dance and music that are happening there. 

Anyway, SV Temple has a great canteen. The food is yummy. We have learned that he needs to eat before he attends the services. We have understood, and I think we have found a system. Anyway, autism is tricky; mood swings and anxiety can happen at any time. I think we have secured some victories. I really wanted to share my happiness and wanted it to be part of the challenge.  We also had a great day at the temple today, and I really wanted to write it down. 

So what were the places that I had planned on writing? I thought maybe I could just post a picture or two for the same. Our trips to San Francisco and South Carolina. On both trips, my parents accompanied us. Each had memories that would last forever. 

So for April A to Z challenge

S is SV Temple, San Francisco and South Carolina.