This time of year is filled with graduation and recognition ceremonies. It is a very wonderful time of year. It’s a time to applaud our children’s accomplishments and look forward to many more. I dressed the children in their best clothes as their little faces showed so much excitement. I was sure to bring the camera to capture some priceless moments. As I sat there listening to the principal giving her opening speech, tears came rolling down my cheeks. She read a passage from the Dr. Seuss’s Oh The Places You Will Go. She went on to speak about how these students would go on to be even more successful in their lives. She said that with the love and support from us, there is no mountain too high to climb or water too deep to swim. The speech brought so much joy and hope into our hearts. As each student came onto the stage to receive his or her recognition award, everyone seemed to share his or her sense of accomplishment. Whether they received an award for improved classroom behavior, basic reading concepts or eating skills, it’s their perseverance and determination that brings hope for the future. These ceremonies deliver such powerful messages; I just wish more people could hear it.

As you probably already know, our family is very much into Autism Awareness. We have teamed up with A&G Graphics to design and manufacture Autism Awareness merchandise. We feel it is important to create this awareness to our community. Our church had a vendor community event yesterday. Our family set up a booth to provide information about autism and display our autism support gear. We designed shirts, hats, key chains, tote bags, etc. We had many people stop by just to learn more about autism and some who had never heard of it, which was hard to imagine. Our goal was to help people gain an understanding of autism and hopefully continue to promote awareness to others. This was also a good experience for Anthony to be a part of. He was telling people his ideas and thoughts of autism and what it’s like to live with it. And Anthony was quite the salesman too.