Hope & Love - A Great Way to Begin

My new students in the speech elective are pictured here making words using their bodies for letter shapes. One group spelled out HOPE and the other was LOVE. That's what we wish for all we meet. I really look forward to working with this group!

Down Home Ranch Founder

When first meeting Judy Horton, I sensed a gentle kind spirit. She is just that in addition to accomplishing something BIG! Judy and her husband founded Down Home Ranch located in Elgin, Texas. This working ranch is dedicated to those with special needs. Their story is compelling and worth the visit to their website: www.downhomeranch.org.
It was an honor to meet you, Judy, and I'm pleased that "Last To Leave Home" will be added to your library at the ranch. Judy is shown with my niece, Jacqueline, who helped with our booth at the National Down Syndrome Convention in San Antonio earlier this month.
You might want to consider ordering flowers from the ranch's garden. Check out the Enterprise section of the website.

"We All Have Some Capacity for Compassion..."

One of the highlights of the National Down Syndrome Congress convention in San Antonio was meeting fabulous people like Warren Hebert. What a joy filled family. Warren shared a quote from a friend that I wrote down as it made an impression on me and I wanted to share with you: "We all have some capacity for compassion, your brother with Down syndrome and people like him bring that capacity out better than any people I know."
Warren, Louisiana is lucky to have you and your family in their state. It was an honor to meet you and I hope our paths cross in the near future.
In the picture is Warren, his wife Ramona, and his daughter, Brooke, stands next to me.

Founder of D.A.D.S. Exudes Energy & Passion

What a fabulous convention! San Antonio didn't know what hit them when the National Down Syndrome Congress flooded the resort with over 2000 attendees who added enthusiasm and spirit to the Texas landscape. One of those was Joe Meares, founder of Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome (D.A.D.S.). A trip to their website reveals the mission of the group. The following explains the group's positive attitude: "The 3 foundational pillars of D.A.D.S. are Support, Action and Fellowship. You won’t find us in a church basement drinking warm coffee and whining about having children with Down syndrome. Instead, you’ll find us out in the community coaching our kids’ sports teams, participating in our children’s IEPs, volunteering at local Down syndrome fund-raising events, and even sponsoring fund-raising events of our own."
Thanks, Joe, for being an inspiration to so many. I'm so happy my booth was across from yours. Check out their website: http://dadsnational.org

Happy 50th Birthday Stephen!

It was such a grand affair! Stephen Zabicki had escorted me down the aisle 3 years ago at my daughter's wedding. Now, my daughter and I had the honor of escorting Stephen into a packed room of well-wishers for his 50th birthday. The event raised money for his favorite charity, the Serra Club, which promotes vocations into the Catholic priesthood/sisterhood. I flew from Houston to Baltimore just for the occasion and it was worth it. I had the honor of having the first dance with Stephen. The pictures are a bit blurry, but the memory is as clear as a bell.