Some family and friends were in town over the summer for a week. One of which is a Washingtonian. However, if you know anything about DC, then you know it is growing and changing rapidly. So much so that you can leave and come back a couple of years later and feel like a tourist in your own hometown.

So they decided to spend one of their days visiting museums on The National Mall that is lined up with a variety of Smithsonian Museums. Well who better to lead this tour than Dale who interned at a couple of the museums. It’s one of the fewer places, at this time, that he can independently travel to and from without me having to worry about him. He was travel trained on the subway for his internship and he still can get around that area better than I can.

Our family and friends were impressed at how well Dale knew the area and how so many of the employees still remembered him by name from over three years ago. Dale was in his element and loving every minute of it. Crossing the street he even saw the bus operator, Mike, whose bus he use to catch every morning to get to his internship. They had to make it quick since the light was about to change and Mike wanted to make sure Dale was safely across the street before pulling off, as usual. He made sure Dale was safe and adhered to the crossing rules.

Well, after a full day of museum hopping they headed back to our home so that I could meet up with everyone and have dinner. There is a side street that is somewhat of a short cut to our house and someone in the group suggested they take that road.

I am proud to say, as much as we think our children don’t hear us, they hear us. Dale tells her “oh we cannot go down there, my mother said it’s not safe to take that road and I’m ‘posed[supposed] ta not go down that way.” When my cousin shared that with me I had a tear in my eye. I’ve been telling him that for years now but when we are out walking he always looks tempted to go that route. I was so proud of him.

I have told him if you’re in a group it’s ok, but with Dale he learns things one way. Exceptions to rules are a very difficult concept for him. With that being said I am glad he is choosing to air on the side of caution and take the longer way home to make sure he’s safe.