by Don Tassone

My beautiful, three-year-old granddaughter Alice has Down syndrome. She is small in stature and doesn’t say much just yet, but she is lighting the world.

I recently had the privilege of joining for grandparents’ day at Alice’s pre-school. Dozens of children paraded into the cafeteria, where we were waiting. 

Alice was walking right behind her teacher, smiling and waving as if she were Miss America. People clapped and waved back. Faces lit up. A simple procession was transformed into a grand entrance.

Alice has this effect on people.

“Preach the Gospel at all times,” St. Francis said. “When necessary, use words.”

There is a light in Alice’s eyes. It reminds me there is a light inside every person. It reminds me that we are the light of the world.

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Don Tassone is the author of two novels and five short story collections.  He lives in Loveland, Ohio. Visit him at https://www.dontassone.com.