The honor this week goes to my son! Friday night my son walked into a crowded auditorium in his cap and gown...no longer my little boy - but a grown man.

Class Salutatorian, he was one of the first to enter and I was fortunate enough to get a picture even through my tears of pride and joy! Our family took up the whole row, and everyone one of us was choked up.

The ceremony progessed and then my son took the stage, received his Salutatorian plaque, and gave a speech that left me in awe of my son's talent. He began with a quote from Winston Churchill (since my son is a WWII military buff, this was no surprise.)

"Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential"

Proud moment for us? You bet. As I sat in the audience and watched my young man, my heart beating wildly in my chest, I thought back to all the tough hurdles we've overcome with him. You see, my son - the Salutatorian - has Aspergers. His speech reflected some of his struggles of being bullied for being different and of how he's picked himself up from the ashes of adversity several times and found his inner strength to succeed. His speech was remarkable! (Thank goodness the speech was printed in the program, because I missed some of it blowing my nose!)

I don't think I've ever seen his face so bright with hope and accomplishment - he's worked hard at not just his grades, but his personal struggles and this day was well deserved.

And yesterday we partied! 65 people filled our home to the brim to congratulate our graduate...Step forward my young man - follow your dreams, your heart and know your family is so damn proud of you!