In Loving Memory

May 1st was the two year "anniversary" of the passing of one of the most influential people in my life, my aunt Diana- or Dolly as I and many others like to call her. I felt like a total bum because I didn't remember on the actual day what day it was. I had thought about it probably a week before, but when the day rolled around it just passed by without me even thinking about it.

Well, today is the 53rd anniversary of Dollyanna's BIRTH day! She was ten days short of turning 51 when she died, which was a heck of a lot longer than my grandparent's were told she'd live when she was born. (Please note: I edited this from 52nd and 51 after being corrected by my Mum- I don't know why but I always thought it was just before her 50th that she passed, but am glad to be reminded that she did indeed get to celebrate a 50th birthday!)

I'm not using it as an excuse for forgetting the day she died, but I do think remembering the day she began to live is even more important. Dolly brought into my life, and the life of many others, joy and passion and love that few other people in the world can bring. She certainly was a special person and there aren't really words to explain why I am a better person for knowing her. You would just have to meet her to "get it."

In honor of my Dollyanna, I am going to present and promote a cause that goes straight to my heart because it's something I've been a fighter for since I was a little girl. Before I state the cause, here's a little story for background (hopefully I get it right, I don't actually remember the day it happened, I just know it from other's telling it):

I don't remember how old I was, but I must have still been in elementary school. I went to the dentist and the dental nurse (is that what they're called?) was talking to me about my family- my grandparents and Dolly both went to the same dentist, so she knew them. Well, when she was talking about Dolly she said something along the lines of "your retarded aunt." Let me tell you, I let her have it as only a child can. My stern reply was "my aunt is NOT retarded." Now I'm sure she didn't mean it in a derogatory way, but that didn't matter. The "r-word" is not to be used to describe Dolly, or anyone like her for that matter.

With that story in mind, the cause I'm bringing to you today is "Spread the Word to End the Word." The "word" of course being the "r-word." This cause was created by the Special Olympics to help eliminate the misconceptions surrounding individuals with intellectual disabilities, misconceptions that are only exacerbated by the derogatory use (or otherwise) of the word "retarded."

I know it's hard to understand why the "r-word" is such a problem, especially if you've never known someone with Down Syndrome or another intellectual disability, but I can tell you that, for them, "slow" is not a word that should be used to describe them or their lives. They truly are some of the best people on earth.

So, thanks for listening to my story and hopefully for checking out the link above (it's also on my sidebar).

Blessings and Happy Monday!