“As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has–or ever will have–something inside that is unique to all time. It’s our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression.” 

Mr. Rogers

I lent the camera to Justine.  This is what she saw.

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“Part of the problem with the word disabilities is that it immediately suggests an inability to see or hear or walk or do other things that many of us take for granted. But what of people who can’t feel? Or talk about their feelings? Or manage their feelings in constructive ways? What of people who aren’t able to form close and strong relationships? And people who cannot find fulfillment in their lives, or those who have lost hope, who live in disappointment and bitterness and find in life no joy, no love? These, it seems to me, are the real disabilities.”

Mr. Rogers

What can I say about these pictures to express how full my heart is right now?  One of my greatest goals for my child is that she would grow up to not be afraid of the world. A world filled with so many different kinds of people with such a variety of weaknesses, strengths, and backgrounds.  I want her to be cautious and safe from all harm, of course. But I want her to not be afraid of people just because they are different. I want her to have a great love and curiously for humanity. It’s the way I was raised by my own parents and one of the greatest gifts they gave me. I would never have asked that the kids experience this usually-hidden world their father is in…but since they didn’t have a choice, now that they are learning about that world, I am so moved and inspired by how boldly they are embracing it. To walk forward in LOVE is truly the most excellent way.

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