When my son Sean was born with special needs, his mother and I were told he would never be “normal” and we mourned for the life we had imagined for him. We thought we would have to be his teacher and protector, more so than the typical child. However, we quickly learned that lessons can come from the most unlikely places and that our world would be changed for the better in ways we could have never envisioned. . . all because of Sean.

Before he died on Father’s Day 2019, Sean taught me valuable life lessons that only became more pronounced upon his passing. He taught me how to build strong, authentic relationships. He taught me how to live in the moment. He taught me how to feel gratitude. Mostly, he taught me how to live like Sean, and these lessons are his legacy.