Susan Senator

It is looking like I really might be going to Shanghai in early October for the Special Olympics World Games. I talked to my friend who is heading up the Special Olympics, and he seems pretty eager to make it work for me, especially now that the New York Times might be interested. This is all a house of cards, of course, because no one has guaranteed me anything, but I am now going into full gear to make this happen, and when I am in full gear, watch out! I feel that I need to have a true assignment to justify going away for a week. I can’t just go and then figure I’ll write something lovely. I need some kind of commitment from some editor somewhere. SO is going to do what they can to help me get that, but who knows?

I feel a little selfish contemplating it, because leaving Ned and the boys for a whole week is huge and difficult. Ned won’t sleep well, Nat will be nervous and upset, Benj will miss me and Max will, too, in his own quiet way.

But I do wonder what it will be like, being in that ancient/modern city, all alone, but on a job. So different from what I usually do. But then I also wonder if I’d get to meet autistic athletes from all over the world! I’d get to watch Dragon Boat racing (?) and other events that I’ve never seen before (cricket, equestrian). I’m pretty sure it will be a fascinating place to be, and if it’s meant to be, then I’ll go.