A Ray of Sunshine

My writing started via Facebook posts. Once, I wrote a post inviting my friends to ask any questions they may have about Down syndrome. I know that people have a lot of questions that many are probably afraid to ask because they don’t want to be intrusive or offensive. I was there once– I get it. Before I had Jade, I knew so little about Down syndrome. In fact, I knew next to nothing about any disability. I asked my friends to put those concerns aside and ask their questions! I don’t get offended easily and I love sharing information that people truly want to know.

On that post, I received a lot of really great questions like, “How can we best interact with her and her awesome parents?” (Their words, not mine!) “What specific toys are helpful for babies with Down syndrome?” “Is there a Down syndrome spectrum similar to Autism? Or do all people with Down syndrome share similar characteristics and capacities?” “What do you want professionals to know about the language and terminology they use when talking to parents?” “Are there storybooks or children’s literature with characters who have Down syndrome?” “My best friend just had a baby with Down syndrome… is there anything I should be aware of or conscious about while visiting and hanging out with him?”

Those are all FANTASTIC questions. But, there was one specific question that multiple people asked and it was this– “How could anyone NOT love Jade?”

The answer to this question, for me, is a simple one…

I have no idea.

Jade is an absolute ray of sunshine. Her smile lights up her whole face, along with the faces of those around her. Everyone she interacts with walks away happier than they were before seeing her. She is joy in the purest form.

Don’t get me wrong—she has her moments. She is a two-year-old kid just like the rest. She gets frustrated and sad and she screams and cries. This is normal.

But her happiness is different than others. In fact, it is different than anything I had ever experienced before knowing her. Her joy is all-consuming. I am over two years into this journey and sometimes, it still takes my breath away. If I think too hard about it, it makes me weepy.

I feel so incredibly lucky to have Jade in my life. If you read my diagnosis story, you know that there was never overwhelming fear or grief for me. There was worry, and there still is. But I think I knew from the very start that something extra beautiful had just entered my life. And so far, I have not been disappointed. There is a spark in Jade that is waiting to ignite. There is a fire in that little girl which I am certain will grow and grow. And with all of that, I am reminded that I am the lucky one… I am the whole who gets to have a front row seat to see how she changes the world in huge and positive ways. Because she will.

I just know it.