It's a day to bring awareness and understanding - to educate us.

World Down Syndrome Day it is.  People here at home, across the country and around the world have organized events and activities to raise awareness and to advocate for rights and inclusion.

I have a number of friends and acquaintances who have Down Syndrome.  I enjoy their company.  It wasn't always that way.  I remember my first interaction with a young fellow who had Down Syndrome.  It wasn't pleasant.  He was aggressive and physical and I didn't know how to react.  I would soon learn he was a big wrestling fan and he was just having some fun with me.

That boy would become my friend years later.  We spent some time together watching baseball and, from time to time, just visiting.  He's gone now but I have some great memories.  We had a lot of laughs together.

After he died, his father thanked me for being his friend and for "treating him like a human being."   There's some education for us all right there.