Remembering a "Blizzard Past"

I finally am tearing down an old site. As I look back at more than two years of life on that site, a rush of emotions and thoughts hits me. This is one of my favorite posts from back then...and it continues to be applicable to this day...and probably forever.

1/11/09


Winter & Down Syndrome


A couple of days ago, I had what I felt was quite a revelation. If I were to discuss this revelation with my husband, it is one of those things that he would look at me funny and say, "Uh...O..kayyyyy."

Here it is. Winter and Down Syndrome are so much alike. Well, THIS winter anyway. Here's why:

I'm driving to get the kids to daycare. If I can just make it through all this snow...I know they must have plowed Wachter by now. I just need to make it to Wachter and we'll be good. I back out of the driveway and the tires spin a little. Dang it! I give it a little more gas and we go back. I take a breath and put it into forward. I am stressing about getting stuck with the kids in the van with me...and I think, maybe this really is too deep. Maybe I should wait for plows. And I look up - what do I see- YES! Salvation - a PLOW!! I wave, perhaps TOO vigorously at Mr. Snowplow Operator. I'm waving like I see my best friend whom I haven't seen in years. But I just can't help it - I am SO overjoyed to see this snowplow.

This scene is played over and over and over this winter. And yet, the snow just keeps coming. And I sometimes curse the snow...and wish it would give us a nice long break. But more often, I find myself just staring at it...out of every window I can find...basking in it's beauty. It's thick, it's deep...most of it in the yard is sloped so nicely and untouched except for a bunny track here or there. It shimmers like glitter in the sun. It reminds me of fun times with my brothers when I was little and it reminds me to be thankful for the warm home and good vehicles we have to keep us going in this beautiful, but sometimes monotonous and tricky winter weather.

And so it is with Down syndrome. You're not REALLY sure what to expect. We have a forecast, sort-of, but Down syndrome affects each individual very differently...so we just go as we can, day by day. Sometimes I get frustrated and impatient. And then...SALVATION. Angels like Roxane and our amazing Early Intervention crew of Michelle, Carrie and Sharon. They help us decipher the forecast a bit...help us decide which direction to go next. They help us navigate the thick stuff...and celebrate when the snow lets up a bit...and especially when we reach a huge beautfiul sunshiny day of pure MILESTONE making! They really are the snowplows of Down syndrome. And so are the many, many families who have come before us working on awareness, equality and so many important issues. Many times I stand in awe before them, just staring at their knowledge, their courage and most of all their grace and pure joy they and their families exude.

We are surrounded with warmth and love of supportive family and friends...much like our warm home and vehicles. We're incredibly lucky for this, and thanks to Down syndrome I am even more aware of our fortune.

Day after day, week after week...we get little squalls, big blizzards...bumps in the road to "typical" development. But I know...if we can just do a little at a time...if we can just get to Wachter, so to speak...we'll be good. Sometimes you just need more patience, sometimes more gas...and sometimes a little of both.

And what once may have been unimaginable to me, is so common place. What I see most, is the beauty. Unless you have experienced this first hand...it may sound strange. But there is so much beauty in every single "little" thing in life, and there is absolutely nothing more wonderful than to celebrate those little things through the love of family and friends.

Our little man is so close to reaching a milestone - he wants to stand and walk independently. You can see it in every fiber of his being. And he will do it, probably somewhat soon. And as we stand at the verge of this huge, amazing thing...I say, let it snow. One really must respect it, and see the beauty for him or herself, in all forms.