nose and it was quite a gusher. As I grabbed a towel from the downstairs bathroom to apply pressure to his nose, I yelled to Mark in the garage, “Mark! I need your help now!” Mark ran into the kitchen nook to see blood all over Broden and the table. He grabbed some damp paper towels to help clean him up. I grabbed a clean shirt for him to wear.

I wanted to quit. I was exhausted and we weren’t in the car yet. The hurricane was on its way and we needed to get to Augusta, as soon as possible, to avoid the weather, “I’m so tired. Should we even go?” Mark and I looked over at Broden as he walked into the garage and sat in the car to wait on us. We both looked at each other in the kitchen looking defeated, “Shelly, I guess we’re going.”

The rain had already started. I texted Hayden and told him that we were on the road and with some luck, we should be there in about eight hours or so. Once we were on the highway, I looked back at Broden. He was smiling and listening to music on the radio. After seeing Broden calm and noticing that his nosebleed had subsided, I leaned my head back into the seat and took a deep breath, “Ok, now we just need to get there.” As soon as I closed my eyes for a moment, Mark yelled out, “Oh crap!” I looked over and snapped, “What now!?” He smacked his hand on the steering wheel, “I forgot to take the exit to Augusta, we’ve been driving to Charlotte!” I didn’t say anything. I just laid my head back and closed my eyes again. I was too exhausted to respond.

"Honestly, I don't know how we make it through at times and I can't remember how many moments when I have told myself, 'You just need to quit,' only to realize, I can't quit."

After turning around and taking the Augusta exit, we were finally on our way in the right direction. Honestly, I don't know how we make it through at times and I can't remember how many moments when I have told myself, "You just need to quit," only to realize, I can't quit. When times are hard, I'm reminded that I'm living in a valley, but if I keep going and push through, I will soon experience a peak again. That peak will be that much sweeter, because I will remember those exhausting days living in the valley. The peaks are worth the wait, because of the wonderful view. •

PUZZLES & CAMO

Shelly Huhtanen is an Army wife stationed at Fort Jackson, SC. She enjoys sharing her experiences of her day-to-day life caring for her son with autism. Shelly authored Giving a Voice to the Silent Many that encompasses many stories of raising a child with autism in the military. She also teaches Public Communication at the University of South Carolina and has contributed to EP Magazine for over 10 years.