witness...

“Side” “side”…one year old little boy says to Maddie…Maddie responds in her words and they go outside…he opens the door and shuts the door for her…she says thank you…and smiles…this was a great interaction to witness…Maddie being loved…I am not sure I understood this before I had Maddie…hard to explain…but Maddie is protected naturally by other children…I do not think they see her as “different” I think others like her happy and infectious personality…I see it most times when we are out and about…other children flock to her…and slowly this has taught me about loving Maddie…being thankful for Maddie…with Max it has always been expected…with Maddie it has been expected but it has been more of an unknown to see others reaction to her…to see if the world will accept her for her…Maddie is a “wanted” life…and I think that makes the difference in how others perceive Maddie…if I am ok with Down syndrome…they are…if I am ok with her angry esophagus…others are to…apprehension and stereo types come from me and how I present Maddie to the world…I think this is a very important job and one that will take a lifetime…Maddie is not a blessing…she is just how she is suppose to be…Maddie was not sent here to make me a better person or that I am a “special” parent…no Maddie is here because when the doctor asked me to terminate her…I said no…I was not sure of my decision on that lonely day…but today it was the best decision I have ever made…no regrets…no looking back…no what ifs…just a lifelong journey of happy moments witnessed by me…lucky girl!