This may not be any form of official event, but it is a celebration in my perspective.
4 years ago, I was a simple, lost soul, cast out by the castes of a very stringent society. I was lost, with not much else to live for. I wasn’t accepted by any group of people. Nobody lent any helping hand. For once, there was an experience of true loneliness.
It wasn’t until this fandom reached out to me did I ever think I was worth anything more. But even then, things were never easy. For the years that followed, there was an ever present specter of not belonging. No matter who I turned to, I always left a little more hurt, a little more shattered. Even those that people would call on, turned their backs in the end. From those who tout themselves “leaders” to those who call from the right of religion, there was no true sanctuary.
With each attempt, the pain got worse. Anguish was all that was left of an empty husk I dared to call myself. Collecting mental illnesses and pills like bank statements of dealings gone wrong. With every step, the severity increased. From behavioral therapy I followed the path, all the way to the strongest trauma medicine legally allowed for a somewhat sane human being.
I resigned myself to my fate. I felt and knew that in spite of the many accolades that adorn my walls, I wouldn’t count for anything in the eyes of people.
But there was hope yet. After collecting my next set of ever stronger pills, it all finally made sense to me. “Trauma”. Trauma isn’t a thing that is self inflicted. Its something that happens to you when the circumstances are terrible. There is absolutely no reason for me to think I am some disfigured reject, and that the world as one sees it can be wrong, and not the ultimate authority. I didn’t take a single one of those pills. They still sit here, unopened. The clarity the labeling offered was far greater than the medicine inside.
It was then I realized that there was only two groups of people who were ever consistent in my life. Even as teachers and authority figures and peers came and threw me aside, my family and this fandom, these bronies, all of you, are the only people who stayed by my side. Each time I tried to end it all, my thoughts flew to my family and to you lot, the only tethers that kept me anchored to the world of the living. And yet, all this time, it was a thankless task for those who helped. I was irritable, with endless parades of demands. My stress and anxiety would catch up to me and I would lash out. I never felt that bronies did enough to help.
And yet people followed. Followed along in unwavering support.
From this, is when I realized that some thanks were in order. So I did. I rejected every school and social event, knowing that would earn me nothing but pain. I took the money and got commissions to share. I took the time to learn to draw, and build a collection of art to thank those who helped, and to assemble this modest celebration that is here today.
Now as I graduated from high school and finished my final exams just days ago, I felt it would be fitting to pay tribute to the people who have seen and protected me in this difficult journey till today.
And so I title this simple thank you celebration “Hope”. For all that this fandom and all you people offer in every shape, manner and form. Keep doing what you do. You may not realize the hope your simple existence offers.
And so below are the little tributes of art I made and commissioned from other artists. Hope you enjoy.

These are some of my drawings I tried to learn to make for this day.

Here is my deviantart to go and see all these drawings and their descriptions in a little more detail:
http://skysweep.deviantart.com/

This is a commission I got from 11newells, a really mega one (that’s why it’s a link, the size limit really does her work no justice)
https://www.dropbox....ission.png?dl=0

This is her profile, if you haven’t done so, do go check her art out. She is a wonderful and kind artist.
https://mlpforums.co...2046-11newells/

And this is a song I got from Prince Whateverer. Its titled “Brighter” and I really hope it evokes some hope in you as it did for me. (Sorry Prince, had to reupload it to wipe my real name off)
http://www.mediafire...y_Skysweep).wav

This is his youtube channel. Go in with an open mind, you will surprise yourself how addictive his music is. Trust me, I stepped in not tolerating metal and walked out loving it.
https://www.youtube....rincewhateverer

And this is Floor Tom's work on making a cover art for that very song:

Do see his other works too:
https://mlpforums.co...0430-floor-tom/

I hope this little surprise and little tribute can be appreciated in its on little way by all of you.
Thank you all, those I know and may not yet know, for being part of this amazing world. Keep on being bronies, and being amazing doing so everyone.