Church is a staple in our routine. But when a basketball event that only happens annually overlapped with it, I gave Ben the choice between the two. 

"Church."

He came downstairs in his suit and Italian leather shoes on Sunday morning. The girls were part of a choir in another service so it was just me and Ben. As chance would have it, one of the songs the music team chose was one I wrote when I was Ben's age. It is about Joseph's colorful coat, which his father gave to him as a sign of great love. Ben wears the black suit one sister gave him every single week, with the red shirt from his brother, and the shoes from another sister. He feels special. Ben recognized the song about Joseph, and the corners of his mouth went up. He started to sing along. 

I could never have asked for this back in college when the tune first popped into my head. 

"Two score years from now, you will listen to your son, the one with facial hair, the one who has autism, sing this song. It will make you happy."

Yet here I was, savoring the moment. Then the minister asked what Thanksgiving is about. Ben wagged his hand energetically in the air. 

"Thanking the Lord."

Last week had some aches and pains in it. This coming week probably will too. But today a chorus and two verses were all it takes to fill me up.