Let me explain...The school year was ending, his final year at a school he's attended for twelve years (Pre K - 8th), and the kids were all excited for the year end activities! One of these events is an awards night where students are recognized, mainly 8th graders, for academic achievements and various other school wide achievements as well. Students receiving awards would receive a letter in the mail. JJ checked our mailbox for about two weeks before he realized, nothing was coming. I took the sad faced boy aside to have a little pep talk... Making him realize that there are very few awards presented that night, and that he wasn't the only one not receiving one, took some time. He soon just accepted it and moved on, like he always does, to the next thing on his schedule for the day...
I'm not going to lie here...it wasn't only a disappointment for JJ, I too felt a bit let down. At first I was really upset/angry...but then I remembered my talk with JJ. We talked about the greatest year he just had. A year where he stepped way outside of his comfort zone, not just in school but outside as well... No piece of paper/award was going to change that!
So he thought he had nothing to be proud of, after reading this post I hope he'll realize, what I already know, he has EVERYTHING to be proud...
The school year began with the kids being told, "this is your last year here, your last chance to do something you've never done before...make it count." My "Mr. Literal" took those words to heart and, what we called, the year of Josh would soon take off!
As I said before, this was his twelfth year at the school. JJ started just days prior to his third birthday in their preschool program, where he spent three years. Through the years he's never shown much interest in any of the school's extracurricular activities, EXCEPT Lego Club and Star Wars Club (Of Course). Never showed an interest in attending a school play, concert, talent show, etc...and speaking in front of a crowd was painful to watch at times. So Imagine my surprise when he came home last September and declared, "I'm running for student council president! I might try out for soccer too!" The desire to play soccer soon left his thoughts, but he DID run for president! He may not have won the actual election, but we all know he really did... He made posters (ok, I helped) to put up around the school. He even gave a speech, which he wrote, in front of the entire middle school with confidence. When he lost the election, he did so with grace...never upset for a moment, because he knew he did something amazing. Now that's WINNING!
Next up... "Hey mom, I'm auditioning for the Song to Symphony play at school." My first thought was, does he realize this will involve acting, singing, AND dancing? These are all things he's never enjoyed, but he was on a mission to give it a try. The long hours of rehearsal soon began to take its toll on him. He had to adjust his daily routine, which meant less time spent on his passions...video games, Star Wars, and Legos! After numerous text messages such as, "Pick me up NOW Please Please Please, I'm your only son!", and "I'm not staying until 5:00, that crazy!", he stuck it out... There he stood, center stage, acting, singing and YES...dancing too! As my husband yelled out, "that's my boy!", everyone knew what that moment just meant to us.
It was now December and the new year was quickly approaching... After the first of every year our family begins our annual mission to raise funds for those living with autism, through the Western Connecticut Walk Now for Autism Speaks. This is something we have done together for the past six years, and JJ really enjoys it! One of our proudest moments of this year was when JJ was asked to give a speech at the walk kick off dinner. At first he said, "no, I already gave a speech this year, just one speech per year!" After thinking it through, he realized it was a new year and then said yes. He organized his thoughts, wrote a speech on why he walks, and then bravely stood in front of a room full of people where he gave a speech we'll never forget! Autism Speaks has recently posted the video of his speech to their national Facebook page and website! Yes...he went national!
It was now April, Autism Awareness Month, and time to get the school, once again, involved. For the past four years his school has "celebrated" Autism Awareness Month and World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd! Why, because when JJ was in the fifth grade he asked them to do so. Since then, every April, the school has "Lit It Up Blue", helped raise funds with us for Autism Speaks, and educated students about the autism spectrum! This year the school went above and beyond... Autism Awareness Month began with the school dressed in blue and an assembly on autism. The students were surprised when a former student of the school, Ninja Warrior, "The Weatherman", Joe Moravsky joined them and spoke about perseverance, acceptance, and overcoming one's differences! This also kicked off a month of fund raising, which ended in a school wide autism walk of their own! Over $2,200 was raised this year by all the hard work done by all the students and teachers... JJ should be very proud of this, it all started with one little question four years ago..."Can we have an autism awareness day?"
We also have to mention JJ's fourth grade teacher Mrs. Jansen here, we thank her for all the help and support she has given us. She helped to get the ball rolling at the school, and because of her it's kept on rolling... Thank You!
The year is coming to end now and JJ is running out of steam. Wait... "I'm trying out for the school play!" More acting, singing, and dancing? Could this really be true? Not so fast... "I told them no singing and dancing!" he said. The play was Annie Jr., a musical, so no big roles here. However, he did have a small role as an apple seller. Just a few lines, but he participated! The rehearsals were long, and text messages longing to come home numerous, but he made it through... Success!!!
Oh wait... How could I forget? School dances...he FINALLY attended some school dances! He even asked a girl to dance! She said yes... A small achievement in the scheme of things, but probably his proudest moment of all. ;)
It's now June, which brings us back to where we started here, and the year was was almost done. I think my pep talk sank in and I hope he now realizes, you don't need a piece of paper/award to tell you you're amazing! Recognize from within, not from other's opinions of you, how great you really are, and my dear boy...YOU are full of GREATNESS!
We sat and watched him graduate at the end of June, from the only school he's ever known, confident he will continue to make us, and himself, proud for years to come. This is only the beginning...look out high school, here he comes!!!
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