Special Gifts From Special Friends

Editor's Note: This is a story from a few years back, but it is still as prevalent today as the day it happened. The story's backdrop is at The School for Children, which is a school for special needs children. This school is absolutely amazing and prepares families and their children for the modern world. The school is for all types of children who do not learn or function in the "normal" stream of society. This environment allows for the students to learn at an individual pace and to also learn how to use new equipment that will allow them to communicate, maneuver, and work along side the rest of the world. It is truly an honor to be able to be a part of this school's therapy program and to witness the amazing progress these children make each day. please enjoy another amazing tale of Tilly.

Tilly resting before school!

Well my adventure today started on the hectic side. I woke up this morning and was rushed through my morning routine...what a way to start your day...humpf!!! Alison was running late which in turn means I was running late. Today we had to get to school to see all of my special friends! Well we got there on time and without a problem, which is fantastic. Now this is how you start a day!!! We went to our class and everyone was in a phenomenal mood. All smiles and gentle touches! What a great treat today. I did not get pinched, squeezed, bit, pushed, or pulled by any of my little friends. We had a full classroom this morning and everyone was sitting nicely in a circle. I got to go around the circle like I was Old Mother Hubbard playing duck, duck, goose. The children all sat in their spots and waited so patiently for me to get to them. I got kisses from Mike, kisses from Alanna, nice pets from Carla, kisses and pets from Sharon, kisses and hugs from Emilia, pets from Noel, pets and kisses from Trina, and pets from Mona and Marie. I know that it does not sound like a big deal that I got all of these hugs, pets, and kisses, but some of these children are in some heavy duty equipment, for instance wheelchairs, walkers, or apparatus that helps to make you stand up—so any form of stretching, extending, or leaning can be considered a monstrous achievement. And these children all pushed their little bodies to their absolute limits. They reached as far as they could, they lifted their heads up high, they even opened up their hands to pet me from my head to my tail.  What a day, all the love that these children shower over me is something I could never describe. It makes me glow...so now you all can call me Tilly the glow worm. One of the greatest things about my day today was that Carla and Marie usually do not initiate any touching with me, but today was special and they reached out to pet me not once or twice but a ton—it made me feel all warm and gooey inside. It was like I had finally gotten through their shell and they were accepted me! These special visits to the school are so wonderful that I am always excited about the next visit.

This day could never be outdone—or could it....you will just have to stay tuned and find out.