I say it a lot. It’s what one of the best physicians on our journey told me as I sat in complete and utter despair in the hospital room, looking at a dry erase board drawing of his brain. Zig zagged lines all over; it has to re-wire. It will look different she said. In the quiet of the dawn, waking up to only the sounds of monitors. I repeated it in my head. It was as if I was constantly preparing myself for this new “different.” 

Yep, it looks different on the outside. But his personality is there. His memories are still there. He’s still the same tender loving boy on the inside. 

To those that fully embraced the “different.” Our school, our community, teachers, staff, nurses, friends…anyone who had a hand in our lives and helped us get through 5th grade. The first full school year back without hospitalizations. Constant emotional highs and lows. You’ve shown our family light in the darkness. 

A VERY special thanks to Mrs. Mandy Jackson and Mrs. Haley Gonzalez. You led us with confidence through a WORLD of unknowns. Through agony, tears and setbacks. You were always there with open arms to lead us. More importantly, you believed in Colter. In his recovery. You gave me peace knowing I could work full-time. Knowing you could handle it ALL. We simply cannot thank you enough. You quite literally prepared him to WALK across that stage for the last time in Elementary school today. It’s not what I thought it would look like when we took these Kinder pics. But let me tell you, God has something SO much bigger in mind for our baby boy. 

To all those who still “see” him for who he is. Including students who stop and help! Who aren’t scared of “different.” Thank you. It takes a lot of courage to be KIND in a lost and broken world. To be Jesus.

We are forever grateful. 

The Clements Family 💟

https://youtu.be/SW9IIDjmcoo?feature=shared