On Motivational Speakers and Tears

Last Wednesday night I attended Vancouver Mom's Top 30 Ultimate Blogger party.  It was an amazing celebration.  I was primped and pampered and spoiled with an amazing swag bag.  During the formal part of the evening, three bloggers who I read regularly, spoke about blogging.  I was inspired by their words.  Harriet,  Tracey and Amber spoke to me about lessons of blogging and about being a blogger.  From their inspiring and funny speeches, I took away these messages,

• If something is weighing on you, blog about it.   
• Accept who you are and be true to yourself.
• You are not alone.

Thank you ladies for giving me the words and courage to write.

We had a guest speaker at our school last Tuesday.  His name is Michael Brololotto.  He came to our school to speak about bullying and friendship and including everyone.  Michael has Cerebral Palsy.  He has overcome many obstacles in his life of all shapes and sizes.  I was excited to hear him speak.

His talk started by explaining to the kids about who he is and why he looks and sounds different.  He told the kids, "Even though I look different in the way that I walk and the way that my hands move and sound different, in my heart I am just like all of you.  I want to have fun and laugh, be loved and have friends."  He then went onto say that in school he did not have friends.  Kids were mean to him, called him names and even beat him up.  I connected with his words in a way that I didn't expect.  His words brought tears, lots of tears and I had to leave the room.  His words took me to a place that I try not to go to often.  It is the place where I worry about my nephew Declan and what his life will be like as he gets older and goes to school.

I have hopes and dreams for Declan just like I know his parents do.  I want people to look beyond Down Syndrome and see the little boy that we see.  The little boy who already knows more than thirty words and is always able to let us know what he wants or needs.  The little boy who loves to climb and run and watch Gabba (Yo Gabba Gabba).  The boy who is quick to hug when it is time to say goodbye and who can't get enough of his Uncle Mer (Captain Canada).  I want him to have fun and laugh.  To have friends and be loved.  To find his tribe wherever and whoever that may be.

Michael found me after school on Tuesday.  And even though I cried again.  I can't thank him enough for that.

What did I get out of all of this?

I am going to be kind.  I am going to look beyond differences and focus on those things that connect us and make us the same.  Along the way I am going to model and teach my kids to be kind.  I hope this  post reaches other people and my goal of kindness is passed on.  I want everyone, regardless of abilities or extra chromosomes to be treated with respect and kindness and be given opportunities to laugh, to be loved, to have friends and to have a good time.

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. ~Lao Tzu