She's someone I know from a local autism group, though I've never met her in person. Her 17-year-old son was autistic and passed away suddenly on Sunday. I know he had been in a mental health facility for about 6 months--I think he had some other struggles, too, along with autism. But she was someone who had always seemed so positive and loving about her son, at least in how she presented herself on Facebook. Just last week, she posted a pic of them celebrating his birthday together at the facility, saying he seemed happy there. I don't know what happened (not sure if he had a comorbid physical condition as well, like a seizure disorder, which T mentioned). Or if the cause was...something else. But whatever happened, it's terribly sad. And made me feel thankful for my daughter and also a bit guilty for some negative thoughts about her at times, even though I know those are completely normal and OK for all parents.

It helped to talk it through with Dr. T and just feel OK crying about it in there. We discussed some other things as well, lots about my D, plus a bit more about me. As I was leaving, he wished me a good few days, as he often does. Then he added, "I'm sorry about your friend." I said I didn't really know her that well (not sure why I said that!), and he said, "It's still sad." Me: "Yes, it is."