A Blue Rose

This is a story my grandmother emailed me and I encourage everyone to read it. Each of the children that we have met at Ridge Crest are Blue Roses, a very very special kind.

Having four visiting family members, my wife was very busy, so I
offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which
included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags, detergent and Clorox.
So off I went.

I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies and headed for the
checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young
man who appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn't in a hurry,
so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This
was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a
loud voice, "Mommy, I'm over here."

It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged and also startled as he
turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His
eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, "Hey Buddy,
what's your name?"

"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded proudly.

"Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my
name is Steve."

"Steve, like Stevarino?" he asked. "Yes," I answered. "How old are you
Denny?"

"How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over
from the next aisle.

"You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by."

I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more
minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes
dance with excitement, because he was the centre of someone's
attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.

Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking
the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't
even look at him, much less talk to him.

I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no
idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy
Spirit. I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow, and pink
roses in God's Garden; however, "Blue Roses" are very rare and should
be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is
a Blue Rose and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their
heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a
blessing from God.

She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked,
"Who are you?"

Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a dandelion, but I
sure love living in God's garden."

She reached out, squeezed my hand and said, "God bless you!" and then
I had tears in my eyes.

May I suggest, the next time you see a BLUE ROSE, whichever
differences that person may have, don't turn your head and walk off.
Take the time to smile and say Hello. Why? Because, by the grace of
GOD, this mother or father could be you. This could be your child,
grandchild, niece, nephew or any other family member. What a
difference a moment can mean to that person or their family.

From an old dandelion! Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply.
Speak kindly. Leave the rest to the powers that be.


"People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel !"

If this story touched you today, please consider sharing it with
others. It's a good one and don't we hear or read enough awful ones
that this makes a good change?


This past session we made no sew bandanna bags. It was a great time for all of us. This time when we arrived the kids were watching a movie, Tinton to be exact. The kids loved the movie, watching them giggle at parts of the movie and respond to it in certain ways were fantastic. It was interesting to see the many different expressions they gave from excitement to fear. As they watched the movie we tied the knots in the bags. The kids had some difficulty doing this but they helped each of the volunteers to complete the bags for them. They helped with encouragement, excitement and their smiles. Each of them picked the colors they wanted and helped us to decide which ways to tie them. Each of them had their own personality. Thursday is the last day that we will be spending with the kids during the duration of my project, but it will most definitely not be the last time  I see each of these kids. I want to return and spend time with them, as do many of the volunteers on my team. These kids have made a great impact on so many of us, each of them are special in their own ways and have made a special place in each of our hearts.

'Unmasking' Smiles and Joy

Today we had yet another day of fun with the wonderful kids who bring a smile to my face every time I see them. We are beginning to truly know each of them and their personalities. Their personalities definitely showed today when we made masks together. Some were lady bugs, lions, and all sorts of animals. The small joys that a paper mask can make truly amaze me, just as these kids do each time I see them. The kids didn't so much liking their own masks as much as they liked making the volunteers and staff member wear them. Some of the nurses wore them and that made the kids giggle to no end. On top of the Masks we made play dough again, the kids really seem to like the gooey, squishy fun. It helps with their motor skills, helping them to learn how to squeeze things better. We always make the play dough with vibrant colors in it. It definitely brightens up their days and makes it more fun to play with. While we were making the play dough the kids were making door hangers complete with their names and favorite animals or flowers. Some of them were so excited that we took them to their rooms to hanging it on their doors. Each of the kids had a great time and many smiles and joys were unmasked.

Here are some pictures from the last few sessions

We are King/Queen of the world!

Ridge Crest became a royal palace today! Each of the kids got to make their own crowns and became royalty! It was fun to see Fieso, Selina,Austin, Denzall and Alli having such a great time showing their inner- royalty. After our crowns were decorated with the "finest" jewels we decorated the shirts that we tye-dyed last time. Each shirt had a picture drawn on it by one of the staff members that represented each child. Their were cupcakes, lions, dragons, smiley faces, crowns and much more. It was alot of fun painting the shirts and the kids loved to see their visions come to life. Because Tye-dye was such a hit the other day we decided to do some more. We Tye dyed bandannas a bright orange today. This definitely helped to bring Summer indoors. Next time we will make sure to decorate them with the kids as well. Today Fieso as always was excited by all the music around him, he jingled his bells and kept the beat of the music. Selina was excited about the cupcake we put on her shirt with the word sweet underneath although silly would have been more fitting for her. She loves to kid around and makes us laugh all the time. As always we had a great time listening to music and jingling the bells in between crafts. Each child had a great time expressing themselves today and becoming a royal. We have a little while until our next session but I am sure it will be a great time.

Another Day, Another Great Experiance

Today was our second visit to Ridge Crest to work with the kids there. It was another fantastic time with fantastic kids. Today bought excitement and new challenges. We Tye dyed t-shirts today which was alot of fun for the kids but even more so for the volunteers I think, Kates hands looked a tad blue after dipping all the shirts into the blue dye and because of many of the kids difficulties with motor skills we had to rubber band the shirts for them. We had a great time making play dough as well, it was a bit messy but the kids loved the feeling of it going through their fingers and that they could make it any shape they want. It was amazing to see how some flour, salt, and water can bring such enjoyment. Of course we made the play dough colorful with food coloring and once again my team of volunteers found making the play dough colorful to be rather fine entertainment. We made picture frames and treasure books with the foam stickers that make the kids go wild. The animals and flowers in our pack of stickers sends some of the kids into fits of giggles and large smiles. It was a great time once again. Of course there was plenty of music involved as there always is. Each child received bells and shakers to make noise as the music was blasting away in the background. Its so great to see what music can truly do. Each kid reacts in their own way to the music they are hearing. Some scream for joy while others relax. Its amazing to see the different reactions and how each perceives it in their own way. The arts are a truly powerful thing.

Here are some pictures from last week, Pictures from this week to come soon!

The first Experience !

Today was the first day my staff of volunteers and I got to work with the kids we have been so looking forward to work with. We had a lot of fun to say the least. We made bird houses today so that the kids could hang them in their small play area outside and see the birds fly around their colorful projects. The kids loved this activity, sticking colorful flowers, insects and animals all over them. All of the kids seemed to be interested in the colors and animals they were seeing. My staff helped each child one on one place the stickers onto the bird houses. Each of them made one whether they could do it themselves or with alittle help. After the bird houses were complete we moved right along into noise makers, the typical paper towel roll and beads with closed ends. When the music started the kids were shaking their new creations like no tomorrow. To decorate the noise makers once again we put stickers on them. The animals seemed to really go over well to decorate things. Stickers seem to be a big hit! Overall today was a great day,  getting to meet the kids and  be able to finally have a chance to work with them. Each of them have their own unique personality that they share and there was no shortage of personality today. One of the young girls that we were working with today was so excited every time we would dance or move around, she giggled and giggled and giggled. It was a lot of fun to watch the joy that she had just from hearing the music and watching us all dance along. The new experience has already taught me things I never thought I would learn. It has taught me how to adapt very quickly because each activity is easier or very difficult for different kids so you have to be able to come up with a plan B or even plan C on the spot. Overall I think for our first time there it went extremely well and I can't wait untill next week when we return.

A moment of Reflection

Over the last few days I have been working hard on beginning to plan the program I will present and the fun things we will be doing. Many ideas are on the table and the possibilities are endless but last night as I was beginning to write another session of fun for the kids I had a moment of reflection, A moment of realizing how beautiful and blissful each and everyone of the children I have already met are. They are happy just to see you walk through the door and are not plagued by the worlds problems. Why can't we all be like this? They love one another and everyone who takes care of them. It is truly incredible to see. I have been thinking and realize although this kids may be different in societies eyes they can all teach us something. To love unconditionally and to be grateful for each moment. There are so many possibilities that they present. Each of them give me life and invigorate me to make this program the best it can be. The time I have already spent with them makes me never want to leave, I wish I could stay there and be engulfed in their continuing love and happiness. Next time you are feeling down and out find the simple things and remember there blissfulness.

So Much Life

Yesterday some of my volunteers and I went on a pre-program visit to ridge crest. We got to tour the facility as well as meet some of the kids and nurses. The first emotion I got when I walked through the door was how full of life this place truly is. The kids are so energetic in their own ways. One of the girls that we met yesterday I really connected with. She has this sparkle in her eye that screams creativity and life. She loves music and when she heard that we were going to be presenting  a music and art program a huge smile grew across her face. She then told the nurse she was siting next to that she was going to tell her mom and the people at school all about it. The excitement I saw in her touched me and shows me that this is going to be a program that will touch me and the people around me. People often have this view that children as restrained in their abilities as these children don't have life or the opportunity to create but how wrong they are. These children are the ones that are creating so much every moment. They are so full of life and my visit has only made me more excited to get started!

Pre-Project Visit Plans

Hey everyone! It is time to get started. At 4pm on Monday we are meeting with Patti at Ridge Crest. Please be there around 3:50pm to meet in the parking lot so we can all go in together. Let me know if you can attend on Facebook. We will have a chance to meet with the kids and get to know them as well as getting to see the venue we will be presenting the program in. Thank you so much in advance for all your help! If you have questions let me know!