I have always been a fan of kindness. You know that saying, "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." I have no idea who said this, but I think it is so true. I try to be extra sweet when I'm checking out at the grocery store or Target or in the drive thru. You just never know what someone might be going through and how just a kind word can make a big difference in a person's day.
I have been on the receiving end of a lot of kindness lately. You see, Evan is in a classroom that is specific for children with autism. His teachers are one of a kind, loving, fantastic, amazing teachers. I will be forever grateful for them for making Evan's future brighter. He is in this classroom most of the day, but lately he has been pulled out some to go to a typical classroom. The idea is to "HOPEFULLY" after next year, have him integrated into a mainstream classroom for most of the school day. I can't tell you how proud I am of Evan. He is working so hard. It is HUGE that he is able to leave his class of six students and go to a class of 20+ students, participate a little and do some work. HUGE!
Last week the school had "Faculty Follies," which was a fund raiser and the teachers put on a show. It was SO cute! Derek and I were sitting in the cafeteria and one of Evan's teachers brought over the teacher Evan is with when he is in the mainstream classroom. She is just precious. She went on and on about how much she loves Evan and how sweet he is and how he is working hard. With tears in my eyes, I thanked her for helping him learn and for loving him (which is equally or more important than the learning part to me) . She said something that I'll never forget. She said, "You know, this could be my grandchild one day or someone in my family, and I would hope someone would do the same for me." Wow! I wish everyone on the face of the planet felt that way! She also told me there was a little boy in her class named Payton that asked if he could play with Evan that day. He told Mrs. H, "I think Evan could be my good friend." Ok, I'm a bawling mess at this point! I have prayed for this for Evan. I have prayed there will be children that will take him under their wing, that will be helpers to him, and there is little Payton. After playing with Evan that day, Payton took Evan by the hand and walked him back to his classroom.
I am incredibly thankful for the kindness of Mrs. H and little, precious Payton. My heart is full (and I continue to bawl my eyes out...ha)! Kindness makes a difference. It does!
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Getting her hair fixed. She told me she wanted it "down with curls."
Checking herself out. Her favorite part was the glitter that was sprinkled on top of her hair. It will probably take a couple of hair washings to get it all out. =)
Getting her makeup done. She got a little powder and got to choose her eyeshadow and lipstick colors. On the tray of eyeshadows were pretty pinks and purple and a glittery black. Of course, she chose the glitter black (yes, she did), but the lady was able to blend in the pink. Ha!
SO proud of her makeup!!!
Here she is with a couple of real princesses. She asked me when Mickey Mouse was coming out. Ha!
Snack time fit for a princess.
Here she is at the very end with her official princess status and crown. =)
