The End of an Era, A Miracle in Our Midst & Caribbean Dreams Await

Sometimes the most ordinary moments teach us the most extraordinary lessons. This week, I'm sharing the story of a dish I've been eating for over thirty years (and why I'll never taste it again), a young man who shares something in a language he was never taught, and why spring break might be the perfect time for your family's next adventure. Let's gather some inspiration together

Why Losing My Favorite Dish Made Me Rethink 2026

When my family moved from Mexico City to the USA, I met my first friend at my new high school—Ha, who had recently moved from Vietnam. Her sister and brother-in-law owned a family-run Chinese restaurant where I spent many weekends.

Learning Through Friendship

At first, Ha and I communicated through dictionaries and drawings. We laughed, played games, and learned English together. The perk of hanging out at her family's restaurant? The delicious food after closing.

I started helping Ha clean tables, then serving beverages, then bringing dishes to tables—no pay, just for fun. Eventually, they shared tips with me, and after high school graduation, Ha's sister Linh officially hired me. I worked Friday and Saturday nights while attending college. Ha eventually left, but I stayed for a few more years.

My favorite dish was Mongolian Beef. For more than thirty years, I've gone back just for that dish. Nobody else makes it like Nam (the brother in-law) did.

🥡When Everything Changed

A couple of weeks ago, I tried calling to order it—no answer. This past Monday, my husband offered to go get “my Mongolian Beef”. I'd been craving it for weeks.

When he returned, I opened the lid and my face froze. "This is not my Mongolian beef!"

He explained that the restaurant looked completely different—new tables, new chairs, everything updated.

My heart sank. It marked the end of an era.

About a month ago, I spoke with Linh, for what would be the last time. Her kids were grown and didn't want to work there anymore. Teasingly, I said, "If you ever retire, please give me Nam’s Mongolian beef recipe!" She laughed. Little did I know that would be my last time eating my favorite dish from their restaurant.

What That Little Restaurant Taught Me

In all those years, I was the only "outsider" they ever hired. That restaurant taught me so much more than I understood at the time:

• Friendship crosses international and language barriers

• The value of hard work and family teamwork

• Practical skills I'd later use when we opened our own family restaurant with my mom and sisters

But here's what hit me as I stared at that wrong Mongolian beef: those weren't just lessons about running a restaurant. They were lessons about patience, connection across differences, and finding value in unexpected places.

Sound familiar?

As autism parents and caregivers, we live this every single day. We learn to communicate in new ways. We discover strengths we didn't know we had. We build communities with people who understand our journey. We find purpose in the most unexpected moments.

💙Don’t make New Year Resolutions!

As you step into 2026, pause and ask yourself:

• What unexpected experience taught you something valuable this past year?

• What strength have you developed through your autism journey that you never saw coming?

• What “small restaurant moments” have shaped who you are today?

Sometimes our greatest teachers come disguised as ordinary moments—a friendship that started with drawings and dictionaries, a dish that carried decades of memories, or a child who teaches us to see the world differently

A Different Way to Approach the New Year

I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions. I’ve learned they often fade away within the first few weeks, and then we’re left feeling like we “failed.”

So instead of setting resolutions for 2026, seek experiences that will become opportunities.

Say yes to something new. Take your family somewhere you’ve never been. Connect with another family on a similar journey—or reconnect with someone who matters to you.

My mentor Darren Hardy once suggested writing a letter to yourself. Not a checklist—more like a compass. In it, include:

• Your dreams

• What inspires you

• Your values

• The fears that are holding you back

• How you want to grow

• How you want to contribute and serve

Then revisit it every few months—not to judge yourself, but to realign. To remember what matters. And to give yourself grace through the process. Because as caregivers, we’re not just building a life… we’re carrying a lot while we do it.

And you truly never know which moment will become the one you carry for thirty years.

What’s one experience you want to create with your family in 2026? Hit reply and tell me—I read every response, and I’d love to hear what you’re planning.

From The Autism Passport, we wish you a Happy New Year filled with unexpected opportunities.

🚢Caribbean Dreams Are Calling

With winter break almost over and kids heading back to school, the next long break is spring break. It's time to start planning! January is a great time to book—perhaps a spring break cruise?

My first cruise was a double date to the western Caribbean. After that cruise, I was hooked! The next one was to the eastern Caribbean, and this time we brought our two kids, my husband's parents, and a couple of friends.

To see them all experience cruising was even better than experiencing my first cruise myself.

My Favorite Caribbean Ports

Cozumel, Mexico — My love for archeology drew me to Tulum, but standing at the top of the hill near the pyramid, I couldn't stop staring at the kids swimming in the most blue and clear waters I had ever seen back then. There's shopping, archeology, beaches... just for this stop alone, it's worth visiting this place!

Jamaica — It was so much fun to go to Dunn's River Falls! The vegetation is gorgeous, and the food was delicious. Super chilled atmosphere. After the big hurricane a few months ago, the island is thriving and they welcome visitors with open arms.

Grand Cayman — Breathtaking! The Seven Mile Beach has the softest sand I've felt under my feet in a while. The stingray experience is awesome here, and there are so many choices for spending a perfect day.

San Juan, Puerto Rico — Walking through Old San Juan feels like stepping back in time. The colorful colonial buildings, the historic forts like El Morro, the cobblestone streets—it's living history. This port is perfect if your family loves culture, history, and incredible food all in one place.

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands — This island is a shopper's paradise, but it's also stunning for beach lovers. Magens Bay is consistently ranked one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and for good reason. The calm, turquoise water is perfect for kids who are still building confidence in the ocean.

St. Maarten — Half Dutch, half French, and 100% amazing. Orient Bay Beach on the French side is gorgeous and laid-back, while the Dutch side offers incredible duty-free shopping in Philipsburg. And if your family is adventurous? The zipline over the island is unforgettable. Watching planes land at Maho Beach is also a must-do experience—those planes come in LOW!

Beyond the Basics

There are many more ports to explore—Roatan, Dominican Republic, Belize, Haiti, Turks and Caicos, Costa Rica, Panama, and so much more. I'll cover those in future newsletters, but for now, start dreaming about these destinations.

Here's what I love most about Caribbean cruises for autism families:

• Predictable routine — You unpack once and wake up in a new place

• Sensory-friendly options — Many ships now offer quiet spaces and accommodating dining

• Built-in downtime — Sea days give everyone a chance to rest and recharge

• All-inclusive peace of mind — No worrying about restaurant reservations or transportation between locations

• Something for everyone — Whether your child loves water, history, animals, or just watching the ocean, there's a port for that

Let's Start Dreaming Together

I'm working on something special behind the scenes to help families like yours plan accessible, stress-free cruise experiences. I can't share all the details just yet, but stay tuned—I'm excited about what's coming!

In the meantime, where would you like to go? Hit reply and tell me: • Which port sounds most exciting to your family? • What's holding you back from booking a cruise? • What would make cruising feel more accessible for your family?

Your answers will help me create resources that actually serve you.

After all, it's about Gathering Memories... and I want to help you gather the best ones.

✨A Miracle in Our Midst

A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of addressing a church congregation about my "calling"—my volunteer role as a disability specialist. I was also blessed to invite a companion speaker, someone many of you already know from previous Autism Passport stories: Ashton.

Ashton is a young man whose journey has touched my heart deeply. About a year and a half ago, at 25 years old, his life changed forever when he learned how to communicate. Though he cannot speak, he can now spell—and this skill opened a door that had been closed for decades.

Standing Before the Congregation

He stood in front of everyone as words he had carefully spelled beforehand played through his iPad, words that carried incredible weight:

"I am happy for the first time in my life."

He shared about patience, about feeling God's light with him, and about trusting Heavenly Father even in the moments when it feels like help isn't coming. He testified, with such clarity and conviction, that God loves His children—and that miracles are real.

And then came something truly remarkable.

✨The Miracle Unfolds

The congregation we spoke to was Spanish-speaking. Ashton prepared for this day by spelling out his entire message ahead of time—all in Spanish. Every sentence, every thought. With the help of his mom and his practitioner, his words were entered into his device.

His mom helped him play the recording at the pulpit, and for about 12 minutes, the congregation heard his heartfelt message delivered in Spanish, a language he had never been formally taught.

I've known his mom since my college years. For so long, people assumed Ashton had the mind of a toddler—even saying those things in front of him. But now, through spelling, he can finally show the world what he has always known within himself: that he is intelligent, aware, and full of insight.

Just like so many other nonspeaking individuals who have been underestimated.

His parents recently took him on a cruise to Mexico, where they discovered he somehow already knew Spanish. What many might label "non-verbal" or "severely autistic" has transformed, in my vocabulary, into something entirely different:

A miracle.

✨Heaven Is Closer Than We Think

In a world where negativity seems louder than ever, witnessing a real miracle in the life of someone you know—someone you love—is powerful. It reminds us that heaven is closer than we think.

His mom shared part of their story online, and this line stayed with me:

"Someone asked him how he learned Spanish. His response: Heavenly gifts are available to everyone. So… there's your task… learn how to tap into those heavenly gifts!"

Your Turn So I'll pass that question on to you:

What gifts will you develop to uplift, inspire, and help others this year?

What miracles have you witnessed in your lifetime?

Hit reply and share your story with me. I'd love to hear about the moments that reminded you heaven is real.

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