STOP AND FEEL THE LOVE

Literally, Stop.

We are often stopped in our tracks by unexpected expressions of love, intuitive understanding, and wisdom from our children with Down syndrome.

I’ve written many stories about that in my book Down Syndrome Parenting 101: Must-Have Advice for Making Your Live Easier. But here’s a fresh story from last weekend.

Waltzing Mathilda

I’m a devoted Ballroom and Latin dancer, and every Friday night that I’m not traveling, I go to my favorite ballroom venue. A young woman–I’ll call her Mathilda–who has a developmental disability very “DS-like” is always there. Same DS vibe, if you understand what I mean. The same joy in dancing, singing, and just enjoying life with innocence and without filters.

Her dad brings her every weekend and has for years. I am always moved by how cheerful and courteous the men in the dance studio are when it’s their turn to dance with her. It’s beautiful to watch.

I had only spoken to her briefly once before, but last Friday night, I must have been wearing my “I Love Down Syndrome And You” sign, because as soon as she saw me she high-fived me. Later when I was leaving and passed her table, I stopped to talk to her. As with DS, her speech was not easy to understand; but I’ve had many years of practice with both my son Jonathan and my students, so I got most of it.

The Conversation

“My dad’s birthday is this week. My aunt’s birthday is next week. My birthday is January 1.”

Me: “It is? That’s terrific. You were born on New Year’s Day.”

She reached for me…biiiiiiiiig tight hug.

“Do you have a dog?” she asked.

“No, I don’t.” Biiiiiiiiiig tight hug.

“Do you have pets?” she asked.

“No.” Biiiiiiiiiig warm tight hug. She may have been consoling me for the lack of pets in my life.

And then she gave me one more humongous hug for the road. We said goodbye, and I almost staggered out of the ballroom with my heart absolutely buzzing from her love-transfer. 

Heart-Stopping

How often have you felt that from your child with Down syndrome? How often do they cause us to stop and just “be” in a profound wonder? Often.

The way I see it, those moments are immeasurable gifts that are designed to make us stop and feel the love, literally. We rush, we work, we text, we talk, we type, we worry…and they remind us from time to time to just stop all that nonsense. Just hug.

Sending you a big one borrowed from Mathilda,