I am a special snowflake 

I am a special snowflake. I was raised to be a gentleman. I take my hat off when I come indoors. I open doors for other people. I use words like ma’am and sir, usually accompanied by a yes or no. I was taught to serve, from the oath I took at Seventeen when I enlisted in the US Army, being a PTA President when my kids were in elementary school, to volunteering in my community. I know everyone was not raised the same way I was and that is okay I am not here to judge.

I am a special snowflake. I know that by myself, as with any snowflake, I amount to nothing when alone, it is only when large amounts of snowflakes are together that they form anything substantial. Togetherness of snowflakes does not mean being identical, we can all be unique and still exist in harmony. If we were all identical we would still be naked in a cave.

I am a special snowflake. My parents are giants and I have reached as high as I have by standing on their shoulders. I hope that my shoulders have been high enough for my children to see the mountain top in all it’s glory, because that is a place for special snowflakes to congregate. As my children rise towards the mountain top, it is my hope they take as many other special snowflakes with them as they can because there is strength in numbers.

I am a special snowflake and I am unapologetic of that fact.