There are a lot of challenges that we as humans face in this world: What if our car doesn't start, what if we don't get that job, what if we get rejected by someone we like.... All of these situations can make us have a negative attitude. Imagine this for me though; imagine that you wake up everyday, and your mind doesn't work the way that everyone else's does. Little everyday tasks like driving a car, or getting hired, or having a relationship are impossible in some cases. Sadly, you are judged and looked at differently in today's society and yet, you seem to alway have a bright and cheery disposition. This is the life of a person with special needs.

To the person with special needs who has impacted my life and touched my heart forever, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Here are just 6 things, out of a bazillion, that loving you has taught me:

1. To appreciate the simple things in life. So often we always have our eye on the big picture and aren't satisfied until we get there. Yet through your eyes, I have learned to appreciate the small things like getting called on to be a volunteer, passing out papers to the class, and even talking into a microphone - things I wouldn't give a second thought about.

2. To learn to laugh, I mean truly laugh. People say laughter is the best medicine! Every time I see you, you are always finding something to laugh about. It is truly a beautiful trait and one that I envy.

3. Patience. This one is pretty self explanatory. Sometimes while working with you, I struggle to communicate. I find myself taking a deep breath and trying to approach the situation in a different way. Once I do so, we seem to click again. You have taught me how to be patient without even knowing it...now that is talent!

4. How to go with the flow. Some days we have a schedule and some days we don't, and thats OK too. You have taught me to go with the flow, to dodge the curve balls that are sometimes thrown at us. You've taught me that sometimes we have to walk away from activities and people and do our own thing. At the end of the day, we still get everything that we needed to done, and we have had a good time accomplishing the tasks. All because you have taught me that it is OK to let loose, and go with the flow.

5. Being a selfless human being. I can't even begin to count the times that I have needed help. I've dropped something and my hands are full or I can't open the door and there is no one there to help. People don't just help others out to be nice (apparently that is frowned upon in society these days) without expecting something in return. Well, watching you grow up over these past few years, I can't even begin to count the number of times I have seen you go out of your way to help someone ( holding the door, picking something up, helping carry things) and the list goes on and on. Let me tell you, chilvary is not dead!

6. What it is like to truly love yourself. We all have flaws; some of us are more gracious to our bodies than others. You love every ounce of yourself! Sure you get frustrated when you can't do everything you want to, but do you just give up and start feeling bad for yourself? Nope! You figure out a way to accomplish the daunting task that you are faced with and because of that, you have so much more respect for yourself than almost anyone else I know.

I am the one that is supposed to be setting a good example, yet I am constantly in awe of your innocent wonder and curiosity. Being a person with special needs comes with its challenges, as does being a helper/parent/family member/friend of a person with special needs, but it also teaches you so much more about dealing with life, learning to roll with the punches, and truly enjoying every second of it. I am so lucky and blessed to know and love a person with special needs.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have taught me and all that you will continue to teach me. I will forever be your friend, your confidante, your protector, your shoulder to cry on when you're frustrated, and the one to laugh with and goof around with when you're happy. You hold a special place in my heart dear friend, and you always will!