So many pictures from the day, I feel like I just need to get them posted, so that you guys can look through them. I will sort through them better and comment on them in more detail later. WHAT A DAY! Im not ever usually at a loss for words but, right now, my thoughts are everywhere. There are a few coherent thoughts I might be able to get down here. First and foremost, even though Josh has been in a segregated learning environment for seven years now (grade 6 through 12), he was still FULLY INCLUDED by his peers at every corner. He was included to his level. Some in our Down syndrome community think it is awful that our kids are not included in everything. Josh was included to the point that Josh wanted to be included. He likes being solitary and I, as his mom, had to and have to respect that. However, in his school environment, which I was not a part of and didnt get to see very often, HE WAS AND IS LOVED. (I havent cried ALL DAY and as I sit here reflecting on the day, I am reduced to tears, happy and sad!) Its very difficult to put my thoughts into words at this moment, but I need and want to convey some thoughts tonight (or this morning, since it is 12:30 a.m. on Saturday)!! :) Nineteen years ago, I had a baby boy who was diagnosed at birth with Down syndrome. The uncertainty of that day is still very clear in my mind, but I just knew in my heart that his life was going to be happy, meaningful, and simply full of joy AND IT HAS! He makes me happy just looking at him, the personality that makes him who he is, the smile he puts on others faces, the kindness he shows to other people who are in need, his compassion and empathy for people who need it, and his pure, unconditional love for his fellow human being. He may not write, or read, or do math, but Josh is so, so, so much more than his limitations. He has a light about him, a light that shines so bright. Through our worst moments, he is always the one to crack a joke and make us laugh. He has an innocence that allows him to just be who he is, no falseness, no fakeness, just who he is without a care in the world about what anyone else thinks of him or his actions. Tonight, as I watched him roam through the football field after the graduation ceremony seeking out his friends that he wanted to take pictures with, finding his friends, and embracing them, embracing them with every fiber of his body, mind and soul, made me think, GOD, if we could all just have a little piece of what Josh has, the world would be a better, happier place. JOSH EXUDES LOVE! I love him dearly with my entire heart and soul and couldnt be more proud of him for just being who he is. I am blessed to have been chosen to be his mother. I am so excited for our new chapter. I know that whatever he does and wherever he does it, he will be amazing and continue to spread his joy to all those lucky enough to cross his path. JOSH, MOM LOVES YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW. YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF MY LIFE. THANK YOU FOR TEACHING ME EVERY SINGLE DAY HOW TO BE A BETTER PERSON BY THE EXAMPLE THAT YOU SET FOR ME IN YOUR PURE, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR YOUR FELLOW HUMAN BEING. YOU ROCK!
Posted on: Sat, 07 Jun 2014 04:31:17 +0000