"Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder," Margaret Wolfe Hungerford (née Hamilton), who wrote many books, often under the pseudonym of 'The Duchess', is most often attributed to having first written this quote. As I share with you my photo of 'beauty' I am compelled to also share with you the story of one of the most remarkable young men I have ever known.
Beautiful Dan
...we met when he was six. He crawled into my lap and played with my red fingernails. He is now 22, over six feet tall, still sits in my lap and yes, he still loves my red fingernails. Dan has a rare seizure disorder that has robbed his brain of growth and development. What it hasn't robbed him of is his joy of life.
I was his assistant when he started school. Yet it was he who taught me. He taught me patience and kindness. He taught me acceptance and tolerance. He taught me to appreciate the baby steps. He taught me love in I way I had never known.
Perhaps the most beautiful thing about this young man is his ability to bring people together. Knowing Dan creates a domino effect that touches the lives of many. Life long friendships have been formed, marriage vows exchanged, and a baby born because of Dan.
His face isn't flawless. His smile isn't perfect. But his heart and soul are flawless. As it is with many who are like Dan, if you look beyond the physical flaws, you will be blinded by the beauty from within. Dan taught me that too!
16 comments:
Very touching. These are the kind of people that makes life so beautiful and enriching. Love your post.
What a wonderful post - and how true that there are many layers to beauty.
An incredible tribute to a young man written from your very heart and soul. Thank you for sharing both he, and notes on the people he has touched. He is truly "beauty" personified, and from his influence, the pebble in the pond sending beautiful ripples in every direction.
R
He must be quite a boy. Your post is touching indeed.
What a wonderful tribute. Dan has certainly enriched so many lives and that is beautiful initself,
the best that life wishes to teach us often comes in the most unlikely of packages and bearers... blessed are you to have met dan!
He is beautiful-- inside and out!
I did Photo Hunt today, too. :) http://newyorktraveler.net/photo-hunters-beautiful/
What a lovely story. You're right. Beautiful is an internal quality as well as an external one.
Thank you for your lovely comments on my entry today.
That is a truly beautiful tribute to a very special young man. You were as fortunate to meet him as he was to meet you.
what a touching story! that is a beautiful entry! thanks for sharing... mine's up too at this link!
how nice! I love to see others perspectives of beautiful!
kris
Thanks for your comment on my blog. I love your beautiful picture and particularly the story behind it. It speaks volumes!
It is the mind that counts. What for having a beautiful face with evil mind?
That IS beautiful. Beauty comes from within. It's not always about the outside.
Beautiful is what you've been to us --- and you can't deny you've been one of Dan's angels. Isn't it beautiful the way life takes us on adventures together? I love the way you write about it!
Just happened to follow a link that brought me to you :-) A moving and thought provoking post.
Sue :-)
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