World Down Syndrome Day (3/21)

Today is World Down Syndrome Day because the date is 3/21 (3 copies of the 21st chromosome).  In the years past this day has come and gone without much thought.  Not that celebrating Landon isn't important but I feel like it takes more than just a day.  More than just posing something on Facebook, or Tweeting, or wearing a shirt or button.  I feel like for people to really understand the positives of children and adults with Down syndrome they have to see them out in public doing what every other child and adult are doing.  They have to hear me say, as a parent, that I really love my child, that I wouldn't trade him for anything, that I feel blessed to have him and that he teaches me new things everyday.  People need to see that Down syndrome is not who Landon is, it's just one small aspect of what makes him special.  For some reason this year WDSD has been on my mind a lot more.  Not for the "awareness" reason but more for reflection.  I have just been thinking about Landon.

I was thinking about what I wanted to write in this blog and so many thought came to mind.  Sadness in the thought that 90% or more of unborn babies are aborted just because their parents get a diagnosis.  Sad that number may rise due to new medical technology.  Sad that not everyone gets to experience life watching a child with Down syndrome grow and develop whether that be via a child, grandchild, cousin, niece, nephew, or just close friend.  I have to tell you it is AMAZING.  Now notice I didn't say "easy", that it's not.  But I don't know any parent would tell you that it's easy! BUT I also thought of joy.  Joy in what the Bible says:

Psalm 139:13-16

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, 

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you  when I was made in the secret place. 

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.

WOW!  Did you just read what God said about Landon in the Bible?  It says that he is WONDERFULLY made.  That God created his inmost being (including one extra chromosome).  I love to read those verses and think about how perfectly God made Landon.  Just the way HE wanted him.

Well,  that it.  Just a quick thought from a mom who loves her little boy more than anything.

Happy World Down Syndrome Day