when did I become a crier?

The title should probably be "Kindergarten Graduation of a child with Down Syndrome" so I'd fall into the blog search land and get more hits but the fact that Cate has DS had absolutely nothing to do with today.    She graduated kindergarten with a regular class just like all the other 5/6 year olds.  Not one of them cared she was born with a diagnosis - they only care she is their friend Cate.  Don't you love that???

I guess I shouldn't ask a question I know the answer to - I became a crier on 12/22/2005.  I never cried in public much before Cate was born.  Not at weddings, even my own wedding, barely at the very few funerals I'd been too - I guess tears were just not me.  Then came Cate and a diagnosis of Down Syndrome.  Those first days included a lot of tears, but ones of sorrow I hate to admit.  I had no idea then that I was opening the flood gates to so many episodes of happy tears.  I still don't think of myself as a crier so today I went to Cate's kindergarten graduation without a Kleenex or even a napkin.  Of course Cate had to show me - she had me all but sobbing!  I promise photos & maybe some more video tomorrow but I can't wait to show you a tiny bit of the video right now. 

Cate's school is amazing!  I have no idea how those kindergarten teachers did it but they had a perfect performance of 100 kids. Not one ran off the stage, no one cried, everyone seemed to know the words & motions.  Now this isn't just for one song - it was 5 songs, like I said AMAZING.  The kids were so adorable as they sang "I will Survive", "Kindergarten Rap" & "1st Grade Here I come".  These brave teachers even did something very special.  All the kindergartners walk across a little bridge to symbolized their crossing to 1st grade.  As they got to the middle each one stopped at a microphone, said their name and what they learned in kindergarten before finishing the crossing - and they did it, every single one of them.  They said things like "I learned to read", "I learned math", "I learned to make friends".  Cate never did it once in practice over the last month.  Her para-pro, Ms L, said she was still refusing when they were lined up on stage today, saying "I'm not talking".  So when it was Cate's turn, Ms L walked with Cate to the microphone prepared to say her name when she froze.  Cate of course changed her mind as usual - instead of freezing she turned to Ms. L and said "I don't need you" and pointed to the side of the stage.  Well, I'll let you see the rest for yourself - turn up the volume on this one and I'll get my tissue ready this time.

Cate's speech was perfectly clear in person but in case you had trouble on the recording she said "Hello, my name is Cate and I love my family, my mommy, my daddy, my grandma, my grandpa and my sister.  I love them and my grandparents." 
OK so she didn't do what she was suppose to and say what she learned in kindergarten but as she always does - she spoke from her heart.  I am not ashamed to admit I had tears streaming down my face (thank you to the lady next to me who handed me a napkin - bless you)  but our family wasn't the only one shedding a tear, there were many misty eyes in that room.

How can you not love this girl?  She is just the BEST!!!