Perspective

Sometimes life comes and sweeps you off your feet. Whether good or bad, something throws your world into chaos and all you can do is sit back, after all the pieces have settled back down to earth and process. And here is often where I do that processing. A friend at the DS clinic was asking me about my blog saying that she often thought about starting one…or at least journal (which face it-a blog is, just a technically glorified version). I told her that it is my cheap alternative to therapy.

Anyway, back to chaos- it started Thursday. In the morning Jakob had his preschool Christmas program. You know the kid that is rolling on the ground screaming because he doesn’t want to dress up like a shepherd….yeah, that was mine. A half an hour later and a lot of bribes and threats (you can give me my parent-of-the-year award now) we had ourselves a shepherd.

I wasn’t the only one to join the show though and as I told the other mom whose child was less than thrilled to perform, “at least we wore matching sweaters.”

The afternoon explained his discontent though when he woke up from his nap and threw up….and then again, and again and again. Thus, the chaos began.

This weekend, we had our eyes set on a little weekend getaway with friends. A much needed getaway might I add and no little stomach flu was going to keep us from our much needed relaxation. So I lived in denial as I cleaned up pile after pile, kissed him goodnight and began to clean and pack.

The next morning, fingers crossed that Jakob just had the 24hour flu that’s been going around our little town, we headed out early to Clinic. It was the last one before Christmas and although I haven’t made it all fall, I was going to make it to this last one to say my hellos, Merry Christmas’s and show off the Afghan.

This is Ella and our PT Anita. We LOVE Anita!! Ella right now is working on cruising around furniture and pulling herself up to standing. This is sometimes hard for DS kids because of their extreme flexilibity in their hips. So here, Anita had her both her legs in a ladies nylon sock – she looked like a little mermaid. That way she goes from sitting, up on her side to kneeling instead of going through butterfly position.

From Clinic we headed straight to the mountains. And I am sorry to say, that it was one of those trips where I just DID NOT take enough pictures. We went probably Jakob’s best friend and her parents, who conveniently we quite like to hang out with! So needless to say, I have very few pictures and quite frankly that few, kinda suck. So lets just say, it was beautiful, relaxing and rejeuvenating….and now we are home.

I do have a few more pictures of Ella with the Afghan though. It’s hard to explain to someone the DS community….the connection you have with people you don’t know. But let me try to give you a glimpse.

My week is almost up with T21 Traveling Afghan and it has been a priviledge to be a part of it’s journey. Here are just a few of the kids whom we have shared it with – Castion, Kaley and Macy. Now it’s my turn to send it off to a family who needs it. I will send it with all the love I have as a representation of the DS community and their undying support and love to the Thompson family in London, England….Millie’s mom and dad.

And might I add that today is The Compassionate Friends World Wide Candle Lighting At 7pm, I lit a candle to remember Millie, Carly, Blair, and all of the children that left this life too early. May their light always shine and may God be with their families, granting them peace tonight and through the Christmas Season.