[00:02.46]He Taught Us to Love他教会我们如何去爱
[00:05.29]Russ was a lovable kid with a myriad of communication challenges
[00:10.44]—a speech impediment, dyslexia, auditory and large motor problems.
[00:15.25]But today he is walking confidently,
[00:17.89]standing tall to make an acceptance speech for having been chosen
[00:22.04]one of the “Outstanding Young Citizens” in Ocean County, New Jersey,
[00:26.41]because of his phenomenal volunteer service in the town of Toms River.
[00:30.78]As I listened, I closed my eyes.
[00:32.65]I found myself recalling the memorable moments.
[00:35.48]My mind was a blur of warm images of Russ
[00:38.12]as a loving, caring youth, a gentle soul, accepting his challenges.
[00:43.15]And now, as he stood at the lectern, I knew his heart must be racing.
[00:46.97]As Russ continued his speech,
[00:49.06]I thought about the fateful day he was diagnosed with all those impairments
[00:52.77]and how proud his tutors would be if they could see him today.
[00:56.15]Here he was at twenty-nine, being honored for ten years of service as a volunteer fireman.
[01:01.74]Russ was responsible for organizing clothing for the homeless,
[01:05.45]teaching preschool children about fire safety,
[01:08.31]and for playing Santa Claus for terminally ill children by driving up in a fire truck.
[01:12.89]At the end of his speech, Russ thanked his parents for giving him a good life
[01:17.60]? for instilling him with self-esteem and for teaching him about morals and integrity.
[01:22.63]Then, pausing for a few seconds, he looked intently at his audience.
[01:26.67]He took us by surprise by touching lovingly on the loss of his nephew, Austin Lee Hanning.
[01:32.36]Austin was just three years old when he died from a rare and incurable disease.
[01:37.17]At that moment, I had to close my eyes again before I unleashed a different set of tears.
[01:41.87]A hush fell over the room as Russ dedicated his volunteer award to Austin’s memory.
[01:47.34]He concluded his speech by lifting the audience up with the compassionate warmth of these words,
[01:52.26]“Austin taught me how to love.”
[01:54.23]What made the occasion even more special was the fact that Russ,
[01:57.51]who never made it as the star of the football team,
[02:00.04]and who had never been voted “most likely to succeed,” had risen to be a true “star” in his community.
[02:05.71]Russ became a man of strong character by his unselfish dedication and service to others.
[02:11.06]Labeled perceptually impaired, Russ now sees and acts clearly with his heart.
[02:16.75]His words and deeds inspire everyone who knows him.
[02:20.49]It is Russ, our son, who “has taught us how to love.”
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