...through rose colored glasses...

Chris said to me yesterday that that he must be looking through rose colored glasses because when he looks at Colin he doesn't see Down Syndrome.

Colin is just Colin...he is our son that we love so much. We don't look at him and see the Down Syndrome, we see our little boy.

Which makes me think...we have come so far since Colin was born. I can remember days prior to his diagnosis was confirmed of looking to see what features might define the DS (even though I just knew), and afterwards, of worrying when we were out in public if people looked at him and saw it, of figuring out how to tell people (especially when complete strangers commented on how cute he was), or worrying about what the future would hold for him.

Believe me, we still have our moments...in fact, I just had one of them today, but they are not as bad as they used to be.

When I dropped Colin off at school today I just looked around at the kids that are around Colin's age, turning 1 or almost there as well and how mobile they are. They look months older than him and are all over the place. When you spend weeks and months working on skills in pieces (propping, hands and knees, supported sitting, etc.) so that eventually he will have the strength to put them all together, you realize how many people take for granted the ease in which some kids have in sitting, crawling, standing and walking.

And while I still have my moments, I know that Colin will do these things. I don't compare like I used to to see what he is or isn't doing, I don't worry the same way that I used to and instead, I have learned to have so much more patience than I once had.

But it is a journey that we are on, and with anything, there are always ups and downs and everything in between...

While catching up on some blog reading today, I came across this posted on Love. Hope. New Beginnings: The Miracle Factory and T-cubed: Three boys, Twins, and Trisomy 21. It was just what I needed to read...thank you! I am thankful for our little miracle...

Once upon a time, three angels were busily working in the miracle factory. They were responsible for wrapping up all the little miracles and sending them on their way. Normally they wrapped each one in bright, sturdy paper with big, shiny ribbons. They stamped it with a delivery date and away it would go to the parents who eagerly awaited its arrival. Things usually ran pretty smoothly. One day, however, down the conveyer belt came a little miracle that made the angels pause.

"Oh my," said the first angel "this one's uhm...well.. .different. "

"Yes, he is unique" said the second angel.

"Well I think he is quite special," said the first angel "but I don't think he will quite fit our standard wrapping procedures."

And the second angel added, "And we know he's special, but will everyone else?"

"Not a problem," said the third angel "obviously a special miracle deserves extra special wrapping; and of course we'll send him off with our most heartfelt blessings. Then everyone will see how special he is."

"What a wonderful idea!" replied the others.

So they searched the shelves high and low for their finest paper, and their most delicate ribbons. When they were done, they stood back and admired their work. "Beautiful!" thay all agreed.

"Now for our blessings," said the third angel "for it is time for him to go." "I will bless him with innocence and happiness," said the first angel.

"And I will bless him with strength to face the many challenges that lie ahead" said the second angel.

"And I will bless him with an inner beauty that will shine on all who look upon him" said the third angel.

Before sending him off the third angel, who was very wise, gently tucked a note inside.And it said:

Dear Parents, Today you have received a very special gift. It may not be what you were expecting, and you may be disappointed, angry and hurt. But please know that he comes with many blessings, and, while there may be pain, he will bring you much joy. He will take you in a very difficult journey, but you will meet many wonderful people. He will teach you patience and understanding and make you reach deep inside yourselves to find a source of strength and faith you never knew you had. He will enrich your lives, and will touch the hearts of all who meet him. He may be fragile, but he has great inner strength. So please handle him with care, give him lots of attention, shower him with hugs and kisses, love him with all your heart, and he will blossom before your eyes. His spirit will shine like the brightest star for all to see, and you will know that you are truly blessed.

Author Unknown