Take A Stand

This is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. A good friend of mine sent me the link to this video this morning. It gives me so much hope for the future of all kiddos. I think about how the little girl was finally accepted; but I think I become more emotional knowing that OTHER people are changing in order to accept her. She is still the beautiful young girl that she always was. She didn't have to change at all... but it took one little girl to take a stand and reach out.

I hope that my students are able to take a stand and reach out to whoever needs it. And when my students are the one that need someone to take a stand for them... well, I hope that they never lose faith of how incredibly AWESOME and BEAUTIFUL they are.

The parents of these two bundles of perfection were mentors to me while I was growing up. Annie and Vincent both have Down Syndrome. Their families are two of the most life-giving, loving, and supportive families I have ever met in my life. They just CARE. They have teamed together to let people know how beautiful their children are. Videos like Matty B's give me hope for these kiddos as they grow older.

I only wish that I could begin to let both of their mothers know how much they did for me when I was in high school. These two kiddos are so blessed to have born into an extremely amazing environment full of joy, love, and overflowing support. These are the parents that I look up to; the ones that have every reason to complain, but continue to find joy and who continue to die to oneself every day in order to do what is best for their children.

This morning, my heart is happy. These are the reasons I wanted to be a teacher.