Today’s flashback takes me back to around 2008. I’m not 100%, but based on the ages that the boys look, it is about right.

My oldest son was diagnosed as being on the Autism spectrum. After a brief search, we became quite involved with the local support group. We found that there were many other parents with children on the spectrum.

One of the big events that they would do every summer was the Walk for Autism. They had the event at a local park and it was a fun day for everyone. There were games, food, and giveaways. The walk raised money for our support group and local families.

One year, my buddy Chris, brought out some of his Star Wars buddies. There is a Michigan chapter of people who dress up as various characters and make appearances at events. The characters would lead the walkers around the path every year.

Chris has a few Jedi outfits, a Darth Vader outfit, and this amazing Chewbacca outfit. I want to say that he made it with the materials you would use for a hook rug. The details were amazing! He had some mini-stilts that he used for height. He even had the Chewbacca “growl” down. My kids (and every other kid there) thought he was awesome!

Naturally, Chewy had to get a picture by our station van. It’s so much cooler than the Millennium Falcon…

The Star Wars Crew presented folks with many photo opportunities. I have one with me getting choked by Darth Vader somewhere. They were so nice to donate their time and spend the day with us.

My boys are pretty much men now. Dante is 22 and Dimitri will be 18 next year. It is fun to look back and see them so little. I wish I got to see them more now. Sigh. Long story.