Today has brought on some very new and interesting insights. I want to start with my daughter. As I said earlier, Jaime and I have always been very close. But I've always thought of her even at this age as "my little girl." I know. Kind of silly. I mean, she is 35 years old. But it's a mom thing. So when she and Ryan got pregnant, I still thought like that. And I thought that way when she called with this news of Down syndrome--I needed to be the comforting mom. But in the past 48 hours something has completely changed. I see her now for the amazing woman she has become. She has taken this news and just run with it! She's made contacts and done research; she's cried; she's rebounded. But most of all I have sensed this intense resolve...a tangible change I can feel through the phone. I am in awe! And I am so very proud! She and Ryan have GOT this! :)
I cried twice today. I've written lots about what an amazing, beautiful child Wes is. I haven't written about some of the frustrations associated with Down syndrome. That's the first reason I cried. Let me back up. I've been taking care of Wes while his parents had to be away. It is exhausting to care for a toddler at my age, but it is also my greatest joy. So one of my tasks was to take Wes to his toddler music class. The thought of this was already causing me some anxiety. Wes hasn't had a lot of experience with other children except through these classes and trips to the library and park. He doesn't have siblings yet. And he tends to love very "exuberantly," a trait that is not always appreciated when it causes another child to cry. During a 45-minute class made up of about 12 toddlers, believe me when I say, there were ample opportunities for loving exuberantly. In plain talk...Wes made three children cry today....
Love this.
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