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Friday, December 20, 2013

A Little Christmas Program

The clients and teachers at The Atrium, where the boys attend,
put on a Christmas program for parents, guardians and other guests
yesterday.  The Mr. and I went and enjoyed it very much.
Here's the boys' class.  You can see Spencer and Harry behind
the girl with the pink shirt in the wheel chair.  Alex is hidden behind
the really tall man beside Spencer.  I think he did that on purpose. ha.

There are seven classes and each came to the front and sang a song.
The aides and teachers helped those that needed it, held microphones
for solos and introduced people.  It was heart warming to see how
excited they all were to perform and try to sing, 
although a great many can't speak intelligibly.  
But they still belted out the songs the best they could!






To close out the program, one of the teachers played the guitar
and sang Angels Among Us.  I included a clip of the song
if you aren't familiar, but I'm sure most of you once you
hear it will recognize it.  One of the clients 'helped' sing, turning
the solo into a duet, which really just made it all the sweeter. :)




As they sang, there wasn't a dry eye in the place.
But the most touching part?
The ones crying the most were the aides and teachers!
Wow.  So sweet.  What tender, kind and caring people
to make a career out of helping the mentally and
physically handicapped.  It's not just a job for them!
They obviously loved and cared for each one of them!

What a far cry from high school graduation earlier this year,
don't you think? :) Each of these lives is just as important
and just as loved by God as anyone else on this earth.  
It reminded me of this verse....

"The king will answer them, 'I can guarantee this truth:
Whatever you did for one of my brothers or sisters,
no matter how unimportant [they seemed] you did it for me.'"
Matthew 25:40

 Yes, I think the guys are right where they belong
 and I'm so very thankful! 

And what a fun little program they did for us!


61 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post, Betsy. The boys look like they're having a ball. I'm so glad their program does things like this, it's very important for them and for their families. I spent some time working as a 1:1 aide with multiply-disabled teenagers and I can attest to the feelings these caregivers have for them. I'm really happy to know that you feel good about their program. Thank you for sharing this special event.

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    1. I didn't know you did that, Jennifer! :)

      They said this was their first ever Christmas program and were really pleased and surprised how many guests came. haha...but really, I don't think most of us would have missed it! :)

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  2. How very touching. And you have succeeded in making this old man cry, too.

    Vincent x

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  3. oh my gosh, that was lovely,

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  4. What a wonderful program! I would have been crying too.

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  5. How sweet! And your boys are adorable. :0)

    I always feel a pang in my heart now when I go to my brother's Christmas Tea. There is no music anymore, no Christmas carols, no singing. It makes miss my dad who always brought smiles and cheer to both the residents and caretakers with his banjo and harmonica. Everyone there misses Dad and the workers often mention what a special guy he was.

    I'm glad there are folks out there who take such care to make the holidays special for those who are overlooked by so many. Did anyone take a video?

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    1. Oh, I'm sure they all loved your dad! Someone should take some music to them!

      I don't know if anyone took video...I'm sure they did..everyone had their phones out. :)

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  6. Replies
    1. Wasn't it? I'm so glad I didn't have an auction to make me miss it!

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  7. Replies
    1. and so was your post, my dear! :) You kids are getting so big! OH my! ha.

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  8. This is a really lovely and sweet post.. and how I love these lovely kids!

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    1. I remembered many of them from the first day of summer camp when I went with the boys. Fun to see them all together like this!

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  9. Sounds like they are in the right spot
    With all of those who care a lot

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  10. Well, dear Betsy ... I held it together until I clicked on Alabama and "Angels Among Us" ... then I lost it. We are blessed to have these 'angel people' who help guide and support our special needs boys. Thank you so much for posting this.

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    1. Oh, I know! The whole program was delightful and cute and we were all smiles...then he sang that song and we all bawled. :)

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  11. This post/video gave me a good cry. What a wonderful place your boys have found.

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    1. That is very true. It isn't like this everywhere...not even in neighboring counties here do they have such nice programs for them. We are so very thankful!

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  12. Oh Betsy, I'm moved down to my toenails. How beautiful, how precious and I too think those caregivers, teaches and aids are angels in human skin. Today I was thrilled as I delivered Elizabeth her "Special Christmas Present". I didn't tell you before, but the reason I ordered your Cat Calendar was to give to Elizabeth. When she how to move from her little home in our neighborhood, she couldn't take her cat, and her son couldn't find it so she has been missing her cat ever since. You should have seen her face as we went month by month looking and talking about each cat or kitten. I told her about you , and we read the back page on how you care for the cats. She was delighted and I shared with her the reason it said Thanks Wanda, Love Betsy...was I ordered from you in Ohio. Thanks Betsy...you've blessed both of us.

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    1. Oh, how fun! I remember her cat and her son trying to go over and make sure it was fed. I'm glad she'll enjoy the calendar! :)

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  13. What an incredible program that must have been. I truly wish I could have been there to see it!

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  14. This is so sweet! It looks like the boys did a wonderful job!
    I applaud everyone that works with Special Needs children and Adults!

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  15. I used to work with autistic children using music therapy and it was some of the happiest and most satisfying times I have spent. I am so glad you posted this and that they got their turn in the spotlight. The song made me teary!

    It's funny you should mention the spring graduation because I was just thinking the other day about what a low point that was and how fortunate you and the boys are to have found a great place that welcomes them. And, as I thought about this, I also wondered if perhaps the reason that Harry recently helped put groceries away, and Spencer is getting involved and excited about Christmas, might be the fact that they are at this new place and developing and growing. Sure hope so!

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    1. I don't think I knew that you used to do music therapy! How very cool! Yeah, I immediately thought of graduation and their teacher in stark contrast to those teachers all crying at the end of that program. We're so glad we moved on!

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    2. Betsy, all the very best Christmas wishes to you and your family over this festive season and much blessings for a wonderful new year.

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    3. Thank, Linda! So good to see you here! ;)

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  16. I'm from Lancaster County PA, I love how you share about your sons , the love you have for them in their special needs. I know how it is to have a "brother" with a special need. He is actually a foster child my parents took in as a baby with Cerebral Palsy. He is 29 and is a part of our family. he attends Adult Enrichment a program under United Disabilities. They also have a music program where each Dec. and June they give a concert. It is enjoyable to see people who put their all into working with handicapped folks and make them feel special. God bless you in a special way as you continue on being their for your sons. God bless you with a very special Christmas this year ! Mary Ann Mast

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    1. Hi Mary Ann! So good of you to visit and comment! Thanks so much! Glad to hear your brother involved in a good program, too! My oldest just married a girl this summer that is from Elizabethtown. The wedding was in Lancaster...gorgeous area!

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  17. What a wonderful Christmas program!!! Your guys are just so handsome! It gives me hope that maybe there are good programs after high school for my Davin Boy:-) That whole other world feels a little scary to me right now as we are finishing up his final senior year.

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    1. I hope there is a good program for Davin! It really varies from county to county! Just one county over from us has NOTHING!! It's amazing the difference. I hope you find good things when you start looking!

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  18. AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!
    It warms the cockles of my heart!

    What a wonderful way to start the Holiday spirit (again).

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    1. I've had some really wonderful things fan the flames of my holiday spirit this year. :)

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  19. Yes, there are Angels among us and whether you know it or not you are counted as one. Time and time again we see it in the things you do and even the things you say to us. God knew your boys would need an Angel and both you and the Mister fit the bill. Also believe it or not I think Taylor and Lauren will someday become the Angels for the boys when needed. She is one special girl.

    And so wonderful for the boys to be surrounded by so many wonderful and blessed people, definitely angels, glad you all had a wonderful time and I hope it becomes a yearly thing from here on out. The boys and everyone belong to God and we can always pray that they are watched over and protected.

    God bless.

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    1. haha....looking behind me to see if there are wings. Nope! Don't see any! haha. :) Thanks Sherry. You encourage me.

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    2. Ah, but you're the best kind of angel! You are so sweet and humble that you can't see your own wings. But the rest of us can and your halo, too, lovely lady. Yes, angel would be a smashing pet name for you. Maybe I shall add it to my list. (smiling)

      V.

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    3. Thanks, Vince. I really needed to read that today of all days. :)

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  20. Hi Betsy .. that's is just wonderful to see .. and I'm so pleased the boys (young men now I guess!) are happy in their new 'school' - and you're right .. they seem to have settled in to their new way of life very happily. I'm so pleased for you and the Mr - must make your hearts sing ... inclusion and love - all so important to humanity ... with thoughts and have a wonderful Christmas .. Hilary

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    1. Oh, we are so happy, too! Every day that bus picks them up and drives off I say a prayer of thanks.

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  21. this warmed my heart today Betsy. We thank God for the wonderful caregivers that my mother in law has...so tender and loving too. The verse is perfect.

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  22. Oh my, what a heartwarming occasion! So wonderful for you and your boys that they are in such a terrific school with such a committed dedicated staff!

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  23. A touching post. Did you cry when they sang? I would have. But then I'm a big old baby.

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    1. It was all happy and smiles until that last song. Then everyone cried!

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  24. Wow! I am sure I would have been crying too!! I am so glad that your boys are happy and making progress. You must be so relieved.

    Kathy

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  25. Dear Betsy, this sounds wonderful! I am so glad for your sons, that they can go to this place. I dare say you are a wonderful, dedicated and perfect Mom to them. But still it seems so important, the three boys have the opportunity, to get along with other people and surroundings, too. And these seem to be really admirable, kind people! And it is also good, I think, that this situation gives you a little bit of freedom for the many other things in your life...
    Blessings
    Christel

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  26. Such a sweet post as you know I'am a aide in a special needs classroom. It is so good to here your kind words for your teachers and aides. Yes we love your children as they were our own. They bring us much joy so I am thanking you and the parents of special needs children for allowing us to be apart of their life's .

    Hugs Saun

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  27. I'm so, so glad for you that you have confidence in the place and people to whom the daycare of your boys is now entrusted. It must give you peace of mind. From this little story, it seems a wonderful place. We only tend to hear the bad news stories so it's great to see the good.

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  28. Wow! I wasn't prepared for that! Wahhhhhh! Love that your guys have found their niche. Merry Christmas! :)

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    1. haha...omg, Jackie, me either!!! There I was just smiling and laughing and enjoying the program and then the flood gates opened! Oh dear....it was so touching though. We're so blessed.

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