A good morning
was followed by a great afternoon
which led into a grand evening.
Eloise declares today one of ginormous celebration.
Our daughter Miss Natalie Jeanne graduated today!
Out little Flutterby has spread her wings
and is on her way.
Here they are,
my Flutterby
flutter-bye
and Callepittar
cal-i-pittar
because that is what each of my daughters
misnamed their bugs,
and I never worked very hard to correct them.
Both girls graduate high school this year.
This special trio of graduates celebrated their accomplishments
at the Culbertson Community Autism Program.
Morgan energized the gathering of loved ones
with her sweet smile and chatters of excitement.
Jeffrey signed the Star Spangled Banner
and left everyone reaching for the Kleenex.
Natalie sang our favorite song,
Humble & Kind by Tim McGraw
while a video of her accomplishments rolled in the background.
Like when she was hired for her job in the
Edinboro University cafeteria
by her boss, Ellie.
And when she jumped back into the van
before Ellie could finish because it was cold.
While Natalie's monotone words
floated through the air like a low flying chopper
moments flipped by
one by one.
Natalie at her job.
Natalie with her class.
Natalie sewing.
Natalie gardening.
Natalie sinking the winning shot in slo-mo,
in a game she played only against herself.
No one would have believed that the true victory
would be the receiving a diploma
and emerging a flutterby.
There are always lost years in Natalie's
photo timeline.
and the 18 month photo that begins the
music video posted at the end of this blog--
but not many more.
Those were the last years that I remember Natalie
happy, healthy, and full of growth toward the life we had hoped for her.
Then something went wrong.
Terribly wrong.
The cherubim face
contorted into incessant screams,
her little body never resting,
always contorting
and fighting against the slightest change.
Autism reared its ugly head.
However,
light shines the brightest in the darkest spaces.
Through our journey through the Autism World,
we have met the nicest,
kindest,
most compassionate
and dedicated people
we've ever known.
People like Ellie from Edinboro
the kind gentlemen from Comfort Suites,
and this fine crew of educators.
As Natalie cleaned out locker #4,
I took a look around this magical place
that worked wonders with my daughter.
What makes the Culbertson Community Autism Program
so special?
The walls were lined with art
that the students had created throughout the year.
Reminders of positive behaviors
were at posted everywhere.
Each of these will be finding a special place in the Lamp Post.
There are more ways to communicate
than just the spoken word.
They know that this is one of the most important words in life.
This sparked inspiration for my summer starters blog next week!
Who is cooking today?
Not Eloise.
Not Eloise.
I knew that Natalie was in the right placement
as each person who worked with her
came to us with stories to share about how their lives
were changed because of Natalie.
She had a gift table with the most perfectly
chosen items.
They knew she loved stuffed animals
and wiggly things,
big kid sippy cups,
nail polish,
and even a beer mug filled with peppermints!
She went to bed with this bracelet on tonight.
When Natalie opened it
she exclaimed,
"Look! Sparkle! Ooooh, pretty!"
Natalie thanks you.
Her friends,
and her family--
we are forever grateful.
If you live locally
and know someone with autism,
please encourage them to attend this specialized program.
It is worth it.
And here is your proof.
Enjoy the photos of our little Flutterby
to a song about a butterfly.
Thank you all so very much.
Eloise and All of Us
XOXOXO
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