This year:
They change so much over the course of a calendar year.
They make new friends, they face new challenges, they grow so very many inches.
In the blink of an eye.
My children are incredibly special.
They are fierce. They are determined. They are kind.
They are not unlike the children of Zareinu; the children with whom they shared the runway at the 9th annual Zareinu fashion show fundraiser; the children they remember from last year—their friends.
It took me exactly 22 minutes.
22 minutes to realize that Tuesday night was about way more than just fashion.
22 minutes to realize that Zareinu is one of the most special organizations there is.
22 minutes to realize that what these dedicated teachers, staff, volunteers do to help these incredible children—it’s little short of a miracle. The ones that they said would never walk were strutting their stuff down a runway this week. The ones that they said would never speak or communicate were hamming it up for the cameras this week.
22 minutes to realize that I want to do more, that I need to do more, that I WILL do more.
(photos: George Pimentel photography)

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