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This past Thursday, Bee graduated from his Preschool Communication class. He has made so much progress over the past 18 months - from using one-word sentences ("book") to full-sentences ("I want to read Clifford"). His academics are on-pace/advanced for his age, which is nice. But the most important thing (in our opinion) is that he has started socializing with his peers. He has friends at school that he sits by and plays with (sometimes, not all the time). There's even a red-headed girl he's captivated by.

Big Man and I were nervous to attend Bee's graduation. Bee tends to get very overwhelmed when there are changes: having all of those friends and family attending would be hard for him, we thought. In fact, last year Bee didn't attend the graduation (as an observer) because he could not handle it. So we thought it would be best to get his ABA supervisor to support Bee during his big day. David was such a great help. Bee ADORES him, and was very happy to have him there.

So the moment arrived. All the graduates were sitting in their chairs, and Bee's teacher got the program started. Bee was up first. "Bee - remember what we practiced", she said. Bee stood up and walked over to the little bridge. Up the steps to the top. She presented him his diploma. He took it and kinda looked at the camera. Applause rang out. I fought back tears, of course. He walked down the bridge and returned to his seat. Then the other graduates followed. It was so cute. After the ceremony, they all sat down for cake. Bee's best friend brought his chair over to sit by him. Bee started to get a bit overwhelmed - lots of talking and laughing, etc. - so we thought it was time to say our goodbyes and head home.

When I think back to the child I first dropped off at preschool - the child who cried for the first 2+ weeks, who only wanted to lay down on the floor with a blanket and pillow - and the child who walked across that bridge, I am so, so grateful to Bee's teachers and aides. They were all so patient and caring - working hard to get him additional services, helping him through the bad days, encouraging him to continue having good days. Bee's teacher got him additional OT, adapted PE, and into a really great kindergarten class. She also fought to keep Bee in the current class, when the district wanted to move him to a lower-functioning one. I will always, always be indebted to her. She says it's just what she does - I say that what she does is heroic. She and the aides work so hard with all of the kids - and with smiles on their faces and so much love in their hearts. I adore all of them.

I would also like to add that my little sister graduated from the Wright Institute in Berkeley with her Psy.D. degree. She also was awarded the Richard Alan Smith Scholar's Award for her dissertation. To say I am proud of her is the understatement of the millennium. She now has a BA, two MAs and a Psy.D.! And she's only 30!!! She will do her post-doc internship at Kaiser Oakland, continuing her work with people struggling with various addictions. She works with clients who are truly suffering, and I am in awe of her every day. She is amazing.

And yes, I cried like a baby when she was presented with her award and as she walked across the stage to be given her diploma. The smile that was on her face will be burned in my memory. What an incredible achievement!

So, two of my favorite people, both graduates this week. And what graduates they are!