2025 Youth Volunteer Award

 Tonight was the award ceremony for the Aurora Volunteer Awards!  You won the volunteer youth award for the volunteering you did for Special Olympics basketball. I'm soooo proud of you!  You actually volunteer and help others way more than just this, but it was so good to see you acknowledged for that.  Ghandi said, "You find yourself when you lose yourself in service to others," and I think you got a taste of that tonight. 

A municipal JUDGE who was also there for an award, read your bio and wanted to say what an impressive young man you are.  I love others can see what I see, but more importantly I was so happy for YOU.

Proud doesn't even begin to cover how I feel about you.  You are such a great human and you demonstrate it over and over and over again.  From your admission into NJHS, to the neighbors writing glowing letters of recommendation, to your kindness everywhere you go, you really do shine and make the world (including mine) a better place. 

Keep shining Jace!  I can feel that this is only the beginning of all the amazing things you will do. I love you so much! 

Love,

Mom

Disappointments aren't failures

Hey buddy. Daddy told me you didn’t make the feeder basketball team, but I always remember this quote from a guy I listened to who said failing does not make YOU a failure. I sent my book to 26 publishers and they ALL rejected me so I self published and look how successful my book is. You invested in YOU these last two weeks and that’s the BEST investment you could make. Someone else’s opinion doesn’t determine your worth, your ability OR your potential. I’m VERY proud of the commitment you put in. You have Infinity basketball coming up and this only helped you.  but more importantly YOU know the work you put in and you should feel proud.

I don’t care what some random dude who only watched you play ball twice thought of you. I see you and I know you are DAMN good. One person’s opinion of us is just that. An opinion. I believe in you Jace. You have natural talent and just you practicing every day in just one week look how much better you got! It was amazing! Love you and I'm so proud of you.  

Love,

Mom