A Beautiful Life

My niece Megan started preschool this week. A special preschool for kids just like her-- a school for kids with Aspergers syndrome.

We always knew that Megan was special. From birth, looking at the world through Megas eyes changed our view of what "reality" was entirely. When she was about 9 months old, instead of pushing the wagon, or climing in to go for a ride, Megan would turn the wagon over to figure out why the wheels turned. She would study things until--what seemed to us--she had them completely memorized. She would cry when there were loud noises like fireworks, or the running of the vacuum. But for Megan the world also held endless discovery-- magic--and wonder.

When Megan started in regular pre-school last fall, it did not take long for her teacher, Miss Terry, to recognize that Megan was different from the other kids, and suggested that we have her tested.

When I look at Megan and feel of her little spirit I can not help but become overwhelmed with the feeling of unconditional love. She has the purest little soul. When she cries in saddness, it is pure saddness. When she laughs in joy, it is pure joy. Her "I love you Cee Cee's" touch the deepest part of my heart, and there isn't anything I wouldn't do to protect her.

I am so thankful that we know this early in her life what Megan's challenges are--and that we have the opportunity to make a difference for her now, a difference that can change the course and direction of her life. We won't always be able to protect her from the struggles she will face, or what cruilties exist in the world. But we can do everything in our power to give her the tools to be successful and to feel the love and security of family.

Good luck in school this year, sweet Megan. I pray for you every day, and love you more than can ever be expressed in words. I can not wait to see what you become and all that you will accomplish.