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...