A Special Day!

Five years ago today was the first day of a new role in my life that I never knew could be so fun, so challenging, and so special...being an aunt!

On February 3, 2005, I remember crying as I watched my sister scream in excruciating pain. And within a matter of minutes, those hurtful tears became happy tears as I saw my "Honey Honey" for the first time. I knew it was a special day, but I don't think any of truly realized just how much God had blessed our family.

From the constant hopping and jumping to flicking his little ears...from singing out of his "book church" to preaching in front of the tv...from walking like Jasper to doing "the shake"...this little red-haired boy has brought unimaginable joy and laughter into our hearts way beyond what anyone could ever fathom.

I called Dominic this morning to tell him happy birthday. "Who's this?" he asked, as soon as he got on the phone. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOVEY LOVEY!!!!!" I immediately answered. And just like Dominic, he yelled back at me, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUNT SARAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!"

:) SO SWEET.

We've watched this little guy face some challenges over these past 5 short years: having surgery on his eyes at just 3 months old and screaming each time Steph had to change his eye patches. He didn't know it, but we were screaming inside, right along with him. And that was just the beginning...little did we know he would have to endure 2 more surgeries. We watched him listen intently to certain questions and see the perplexed, innocent blank look in those precious baby blue eyes; he didn't know it, but we were perplexed right along with him. We watched him struggle to hold a spoon and fork...he didn't know it, but our hearts struggled right along with him...seeing him gag with any cross smell or food texture...he doesn't know it, but we gag right along with him. :)

And now, I'm asking you to come right along with me so together, we can go right along with Stephanie and Mike, and as a giant, loving support system we can go right along with Dominic to help him and others conquer the challenges they face each day with autism.

I'm asking for your prayers. I'm asking for your time. I'm asking for your generous financial support. I'm asking for your encouraging words to Steph, Mike, and Dom. I'm asking for your faith in God. I'm asking for your help towards research and solutions to the vast number of unanswered questions about autism. Together we CAN make a difference. Together we can DO GOOD. Together we can help Dominic succeed beyond everything the professionals doubt that he is capable of accomplishing.

If you are ready to join me, I'm ready to start signing people up! Please let me know if you are interested in walking in the 2010 Care Walk. If you can't walk, but you would like to be a "virtual walker" and help raise funds, you can do that, too! Or, you can simply write me a check, drop it in the mail, and I will sign you up on my CareWalk fundraising page. Those of you who are computer saavy can also visit my CARE fundraising page at http://tinyurl.com/yepe4rk and fill out the 'Sponsor Me' tab to support me today.

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HONEY HONEY!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

One day at a time,
Sarah