The Dreaded Question...

OK, so there is a certain question that I have been absolutely DREADING hearing lately...and I seem to be asked it every time I am out in public. The conversation usually starts out a little something like this... "Oh, what a cute little guy! He seems so happy! "... and then it comes...

"How old is he?"

Now, you must understand that my almost two year-old son is more the size of an almost one-year old. He is not walking yet, which again makes him appear younger than he is. Some people just ask the question, but others choose to throw out a guess... "What is he... ten, eleven months??", or "I bet he's getting ready for that first birthday!"

Now generally, I tell the truth. I respond by telling the well-meaning person that my son will be two years old next month. Oh, you should see the reactions I get. Embarassment, disbelief, you name it. "Oh, he's just a little peanut, huh?", or "Oh, I just assumed that since he wasn't walking yet..." Then, I go on to reveal that Will has Down syndrome, he is smaller for his age, he learns at a little slower pace, yada, yada, yada...

But every once in a while, when I'm just too tired to explain or if I think it might just make this person feel way too bad for asking... I just lie.

"Oh, he's just about one. Isn't he cute?"

My little man on his big day...

Buddies

Well, we did it! The MN Buddy Walk is over, and "Will's Team" officially raised almost $6,400 for the Down Syndrom Association of Minnesota and was the top fundraising team in the state. Way to go, my little man!!

I have to say, to me this walk is about so much more than raising money. It is truly about AWARENESS and acceptance of individuals who don't necessarily "fit into the box". It was just as amazing this year as it was the last... seeing a few thousand people gathered in one place for the single purpose of CELEBRATING the lives of people who have Down syndrome. It feels damn good to have my son's life be celebrated as it should be.

The kids on Will's team wore shirts that said, "Real Friends Don't Count Chromosomes." My HOPE for my son is that he may be blessed with real friends in this life. I'm not talking friends who feel obligated to be nice to him because it is the "right" thing to do. No, not that kind of friend...

Rather, I pray every night that he will have friends that genuinely value him and love him for the light he brings to this world. Friends that see past his differences and shortcomings, and instead appreciate his potential and his abilities. Friends that will unconditionally love him for the awesome person God intended him to be.