It is a day I will remember as pure joy for as long as I live…

Two years ago, a 3-year old little boy named Jackson was having a hard time accepting wearing a night brace on his leg because of a form of Cerebral Palsy he has. His mom found my book, “Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog” and read it to him.  Almost immediately he saw the connection and said, “I have to wear my brace like Frankie!” He now refers to his brace as his “Frankie brace.”

He just turned five and his mom planned a birthday party for him. When she asked who he wanted to invite he said, “Barb and Frankie.”  Now keep in mind, Frankie and I met him when he was three, then again a year ago, but have only been with him twice. Frankie and Jackson have this amazing connection that I have a feeling only the two of them truly understand.

They live near Barrington, IL which is roughly a 3-hour trip from our home in Elkhart Lake, but when a darling little 5-year old special little boy makes such a request, it is hard to say no.  Besides, how often does one turn five?!?!  The best part is his mom decided to make it a surprise… and indeed it was.

Jackson’s mom, Dawn blind-folded him so he couldn’t see us come in.  When he and his mom knelt down, Dawn put Jackson’s hand on Frankie and said, “Who is this?”  Jackson pet Frankie’s head and said, “Frankie!”  He then could not get his blind-fold off fast enough to see his forever friend, Frankie.

So in pictures and video the wonderful event…