Yesterday, we officially moved into our new building.

It was Open House for children and their families and they arrived all morning in eager little clusters – dressed in bright t-shirts and dresses, ribbons in their hair, wearing new shoes – unable to stop smiling.

At the gate, familiar staff greeted them by name while others formed a line down the long driveway to guide them to the new, unfamiliar entrance . . . just inside the door, teachers, helpers, drivers and therapists stood waiting with handmade paper flowers: one for each arrival.

Some of the children were overwhelmed by the wide spaces; some were mesmerized by the new toys, the bright colors, the lifts; still others wanted to stay right where they were and not go home just yet, thank you very much.

But it was the parents who seemed to feel it the most. One Mom said what I think most were feeling: “Finally, someone believes that our kids matter too. Finally, someone has built a place that works for them.”