Special Just The Same Poem by John Thissen

Never says a hurtful word
Always grateful to be heard
Happy just to be a part
Always leading with the heart
Blind to bias, happy grin
Smiling eyes that let you in
Kindness to a noble fault
Worth ten times their weight in salt
These things make our kids unique-
Special. Not the same.

At the park, a million friends
Play date? 'Sorry, can't attend'
Inner voice - 'thank God not mine'
Hurts our angels, every time
Snickering when walking by
Cuts as deep as Samurai
Slights some see as superficial
Are to them all too official
Loneliness that leaves deep scars
Unheard wishes from a star
These things make our kids like yours-
Special. Just the same.