This world that we live in scares me. There is so much hate towards what makes us each different and unique. You name the issue. What happened in Charlottesville a few weeks ago kept me up at night. Iceland touting their near extermination of Down syndrome makes me weep. Religion, politics, race, parenting, sexuality, gender rivalry, or something as small as how we choose to spend our time and money not only separates us, but has created crevices of hate in our relationships. And I get it. Oh, I totally get it. I have my own opinions and struggles in allowing what's different into my life. But in the last four years, or since we welcomed our sweet William into our family, I have felt this need, this pull, to raise my voice in sharing, and even CELEBRATING what makes us different. Could it even be possible for us to UNITE in our DIFFERENCES? I don't know. But I want to try. I owe it to myself and my family. I cannot control anyone else, but I can still choose to try for myself. I recognize this message goes against the grain. It requires us to stretch outside our comfort zone, offer the benefit of the doubt, swallow our pride, and to reach out in love. We are all wired different. And it's not only okay, it's necessary, beautiful and oh so rewarding. I find our differences reasons why we need each other in this excruciatingly difficult journey we call life.
"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another."Luciano De Crescenzo
I love that quote. It has become one of my life mottos. And there is no one who has taught me that lesson more than sweet William. And so I invite you, come CELEBRATE what makes us DIFFERENT. Let's exchange our hate posters with signs of encouragement. Let's drop our racist chants and instead offer cheerleading screams of motivation. Let's replace our hard hearts with soft ones. Let's offer listening ears instead of "I'm too busy" conversations. I won't be offended if you don't donate money. And I won't be hurt if you can't walk with us. But I do hope we can all soften our hearts a little more, acknowledge we all have broken wings a little more, and daily strive to come together in our differences a little more, so we can embrace each other and fly.
Want to walk with us?
Come walk with us at the Best Buddies Friendship Walk on October 21st, at 8am, at the Washington Monument on the National Mall.
You can walk with my family for FREE.
You can also donate online if you wish.
To register to walk, donate and more info, go here: https://www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/CapitalRegion/supporting/#imin&donate/760331/14236®istration/14236
And why do I love Best Buddies? Because it UNITES and INCLUDES ALL TYPES of intellectually disabled people, not just Down Syndrome and Autism.
Top TEN things I've learned from raising a child with Down Syndrome:
1. Happiness isn't an arrival. It is a state of being. It's jazz hands on a rainy day. 🤗
2. Success is measured by how many times you haven't given up.
3. There is power and purpose in being different AND being united.
4. We need more cheerleaders.
5. We all have something. We all struggle. Some with outward blemishes, others are buried deep.
Own it. Carry it. Surrender to it. Acknowledge it. Embrace it. Don't pretend it doesn't exist. You'll soon discover you're not the only one who struggles with it. And people will love you more for it. I know, it sounds crazy - it's soooo true.
6. If you have a horrible, terrible, no-good, very bad day, you can still handout smiles. I have NOT achieved this status, -but William and my mother have.
7. People say stupid things about William but it is generally with the best of intentions.
8. Patience doesn't mean just waiting. It means waiting with a smile. (Must work on this).
9. The highest form of love is called sacrifice.
10. And I have to add #11 -I know I married my match through raising William. He's my biggest cheerleader and support. Thank heavens for DTM. (Dan-the-man 😂)
