You are my hero and the person who lets me know that there is hope for this world. You have restored my faith in humanity and given me a reason to continue fighting for change. And for this, I thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you!
I cannot even imagine what my son’s life would be without you in it. From the time he began school two and a half years ago, he has been teased and taunted for something beyond his control. Autism is a word that most children your age do not understand and have no immediate connection to.
Nevertheless, my son is Autistic and you saw past this trait and gave him a chance. You asked him to play with you, spoke kindly to him and never once asked him why he is different, because you saw no difference. Your kindness and bravery in this situation are an inspiration. When everyone else outside that day walked away from him, you came up and said hello. And for that, I thank you.
Ever since that day, my son has begun to shine. He no longer hides in the back or shies away from new people. He has learned to stand up for himself and to demand his rightful place on the playground. It is because of you that he feels like he is not alone at school anymore and he knows he will always have someone in his corner. He no longer feels different, but instead, he is aware of just how special he really is, because he has a best friend. He feels included instead of feeling left out. I fully believe, with all of my heart, that you have made his world so much bigger since you arrived. And for that, I thank you.
You are a remarkable little girl, whose heart is 10 times the size of most other children. You are what my grandfather would call an “old soul.” The wisdom you possess has no comparison on this Earth. When my son talks about you his eyes light up and the love he has for you as his best friend shows on his face.
He has discovered a world where friendship truly does exist and he has found a place in that world as well. You cannot know just how much your friendship means to him and to me. You are a beautiful child, inside as well as out. And for that, I thank you.
When the world knocks you down, and it will, just remember that there will always be someone there to help you up. That is what you have done for my son on countless occasions and so he will do the same for you. When you are feeling sad and the tears are threatening to overtake you, just know that he will be there to tell you jokes until you’re too busy laughing to remember the tears. When you’re happy and want to celebrate, he will be there to throw the confetti with you, because that is what you have done for him. No one on this Earth will ever be able to take your place in his heart and in his memories.
You are irreplaceable because you believed in him and laughed with him so he knows that he will never go through life without a friend. And for that, I thank you. From the very bottom of my heart and with all that I am, I thank you.
