All in the Family, with DS

I was at an elementary school function for my fourth-grader, volunteering to count laps as they made their "challenge run". Unfortunately having the little ones at home, I only make it into the school to volunteer a handful of times throughout the year. I do enjoy going, as it's fun to meet all of her classmates, as well as meet and visit with some of the other parents. While counting laps, another mom walked up and introduced herself, and mentioned that they had just moved here this summer. I was happy to hear she had a son in my daughters class, and she mentioned that she had another daughter as well.  Soon the race was finishing up, and parents were walking away, but she and I remained talking for a few minutes. Luke started to wake up in his little car seat, so I lifted him out and held him in my arms. She looked at him with warm eyes and a sweet smile, and shared with me that she has a beautiful seven-year-old daughter with DS.  Instant tears from both of us as we embraced, and she welcomed me into the family. 

 It is so profound how God connects us with exactly what we need and who we need on our journey of life. It is so amazing and powerful.  Immediately after we got his diagnosis in utero, I connected online with families from all over the country, who were blessed with one or more of these children and their families. It's like my eyes had been opened to a new world that I did not know existed.   And going to our first Buddy Walk this year was so incredible. It truly felt like a large family, and looking in the eyes of all these other parents, you instantly knew how blessed they are, and see the genuine joy on all of their faces.  They get it. They get it!  I did not get it, even a year ago. I did not have the understanding.  Sometimes I wonder if these children are sent on this earth with special missions, rather than special needs.  Similar to the mission of an angel sent down to earth. And families with these children know exactly what I am talking about. I've seen Luke change and move so many people on his path, in his short six months of life. I have seen him bring so many people to tears, in his short six months of life. He has opened people's hearts and minds in immeasurable ways.  I did in the early stages of his diagnosis grapple with whether he was intentionally created with that extra chromosome, or if it was a result of free will, and the fall of man. I concluded early on that it was a result of that. And then he was born.  I now do feel as though that is not the case with Luke and others born with dis "abilities".  I have felt God's hand so strongly on this journey. I feel as though these little ones are so intentionally here, as they were made.  And oh the beauty in that!  God, help us to learn from them.