Seafair Parade

We spent the day today visiting local area schools; first Ballard High School (summer session) and then Renton Vocational School, where we had lunch. I was particularly impressed with the special education classes at Ballard where I met a darling boy with severe autism. Although he couldn't speak, he had a smile that would light up the room and he understood us quite well. He was looking at a picture of sharks eating a fish, and we asked him some questions, which he answered using a specialized computer with a touch screen. Many people look at children like this young man and see only the disability, but I could only see his beautiful spirit. Sometimes I wish I could help my students recapture their delight in the world around them, the delight this young man obviously felt every day of his life. I don't see that as a disability, I see it as a tremendous gift. If only we could all see the world, even if just for a moment, through this young man's eyes, we might recapture some of that exuberance and curiosity that seems to fade as we grow older.

After a delicious dinner at King Falafel, we attended the Greenwood Seafair Parade. It was many of the Jordanians first experience with a parade and we were shameless in our photo attempts! I have several of Rabia with clowns, the motorcycle police, and pirates. We un -abashadly scrounged every trinket and candy we could for our Jordanian counterparts! Following the parades, we went to Andy's home for desert. Such a lovely way to round out the day. I think the Jordanians truly enjoyed Andy's family and especially enjoyed playing with his two children, Andrea and Anton. As we wind up our US part of the program, I know the Jordanians are anxious to get home and reunite with their own children. Me too!