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Hi my name is Kim and I am a recovering bigot and ignorant sole…once was the day I agreed abortion was a woman choice…sole choice…once was ...

Monday, May 23, 2011

it's ok...

cute swimmy
I have been in Holland for what seems like a life time....but I have returned home...it was a long trip...unexpected but interesting...overall exhausting...but I know I would have not changed it for anything..."Holland" is a nice place to visit...but I am glad that I am back in the wild west! some use the idea of explaining the diagnosis of Down Syndrome to planning a vacation to Italy and en route learning you are going to Holland...it is still pretty in Holland but it is just not what you expected...I remember Chad coming home from school one day and telling me this story...his principal has a love for people with Down Syndrome...he said all the "right"things to Chad...he said congratulations, I cannot wait to meet her, can I babysit! and the story of going to Holland...I remember thinking that it is truly a great description of my feelings at that moment...last night I was faced with the same scenario...a gal said that a friend of hers was having a baby born with Down Syndrome...and there it was my chance to practice...my chance to teach...and the words effortlessly flowed out of my mouth...I said wow that is great...please let her know about the wonderful blogging community to help her through this time...she will find comfort, she will find peace...and most important she will find that her "trip" has been traveled countless times....and she is not alone...by seeing the wealth of knowledge and acceptance in our Ds community...and that was it...then I looked at her...and said...blogging saved my life...and now my little girl is walking around the swimming pool in a red polka dot swimsuit...and we are just fine...this conversation happened 5 minutes into a birthday party...Maddie climbed up the froggy slide...all by herself...she slid down with a huge smile...she ate pizza, cake and sang Happy Birthday...Maddie style...Maddie was included...she belonged...everything is ok...I know because my reaction was positive...no longer scared...I am ok...I understand where these people are at...I empathise with them...I understand the grieving that has to happen to get to here...Maddie walked...she walked all night long...she explored the whole pool...the sense of "normal" washed over me...and all my worries seemed to dim...my trip was long...but today the detour was the BEST thing that has ever happened in my life...so if your planning a trip...and your plane goes the "wrong" direction...embrace it...because you will come home...

15 comments:

  1. I KNEW you'd make it home! I'm so proud of you and so happy to read this post! Cute swimsuit, too. :)

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  2. This is so inspiring! And I'm glad you are home :)

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  3. Oh, I am so happy for the place you are in! It is so nice, isn't it? It only gets better too...I promise! :)

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  4. Oh, I forgot to add love the swimsuit!!! What a cute bathing beauty!

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  5. Welcome home! I'm seriously crying happy tears right now, this post is amazing and uplifting! I just can't help but think how lucky those new parents are to have YOU and MADDIE!!!! She is more than cute in that swimsuit...and looks like such a big girl!!!

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  6. Welcome home, what a great trip for you!

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  7. Welcome home!!!! Home is truly the BEST place. Congratulations to Maddie!! See, everything in their own time... :-) This is a fantastic post. I'm so happy for where you are right now. Blogging is truly wonderful.

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  8. This made me cry too. Its funny, when Russell was born I honest to God thought I was pretty much the only one in the world with a child with Ds...I felt very, very alone. This blogging world really does save a person, and now I feel like I know more people with a kid with Ds than not....And its awesome!
    I still dont feel quite like I am "home" yet...But this gives me hope...I'll get there one day.
    And Yaay, for Madds walking everywhere!! The swimsuit is adorable :)

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  9. Oh yes. I LOVED this post. AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME. I am completely with you. Thanks again for being so forthright and honest. This first year with Kaety has made me realize Holland is not such a bad place, and I too feel like my plane is about ready to land at "home"...

    AND...love the suit, Maddie! :)

    Big Smiles to you! :)

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  10. Glad to have you home :-) Totally love her in this bathing suit, she is so darn cute! Way to go on the walking all around the pool!

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  11. This is beautiful. I was told to read this when I got Skylars diagnosis, and it helped me so much. Although I am still in Holland, I hope to one day soon return home.

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  12. You have arrived...right where you're supposed to be. The flight may have been turbulent at times and the circling of the airport(waiting for those milestones) to land may have seemed like an eternity, but now it's time to celebrate BIG! Way to go, Maddie!

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  13. Happy tears here ! Hooray for Mads walking and what a wonderful birthday party, I love those beautiful moments of clarity when we can see that life IS going to be just fine. thanks for posting it
    love V.

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  14. Such a beautiful post. I love your words. And Maddie couldn't be cuter if she tried ;)

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  15. Home is a great place to be!! And I know your words were a great comfort to the new parents. Maddie and he suit are too cute!

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