Elijah always willingly shows up no matter the circumstance! Since he was a little boy, he has had a village of people taking him to participate in community events and church. As he grew to make decisions for himself, he still shows up with or without his village because it is in his heart to do so.

As we have encountered people from all walks of life, we have always taught him to love all people, equally. We have taught him to call others by their name and not their illness, struggle or any other stigmatic societal beliefs and labels. From supporting his mother in her recovery from addiction, attending church with his father, spending time with his uncles, accepting Sgt "Superman" push-up challenges to help remind him of his youth, building his resources at community events just to prepare for when a peer could use his help, studying his Bible and building his prayer life to fill his own cup for the sole purpose of being able to pour out into other people. The list goes on and on and on.

Although he appears to be flat-lined and stand-offish on the exterior, his whole entire life is dedicated to showing the world the love of the God that he serves so diligently. We are never concerned with Elijah's altruistic ways because he has a natural ability to set boundaries and limitations for himself by bringing his own spiritual atmosphere into any environment he enters. He is wise beyond his years and his kindness stems from living each day with integrity and purpose.

Elijah has exceeded any of our expectations of humanity, in a person, just by the way he lives his life each day. - Holly Guzman