Growing up With Jared: A Fairy Tale...

Growing up With Jared: A Fairy Tale...: "Once upon a time there was a queen who had a baby. It was a joyous event heralded near and far, but in just a few short hours, this dream, ..."

A Fairy Tale...

Once upon a time there was a queen who had a baby.  It was a joyous event heralded near and far, but in just a few short hours, this dream, this dream of a new baby boy was shattered.  All of the drs in the land came to the queen's bedside and told her that the prince, as he was her first born, was not perfect. He looked different they said, as the queen sat there, tears streaming. I might not want him then, thought the queen, as it would be very difficult to raise a not so perfect prince in the kingdom.  People would point; children might laugh, or even worse, run screaming from the young prince so they too wouldn't catch the syndrome thrust upon him.  In the wee hours of the morning, however, as the queen lay sobbing, a beautiful fairy flitted into her room holding a bundle, in which happened to be the prince. "He's hungry!" the fairy declared, placing that prince, that not so perfect prince, into his mother's arms. "No!" the queen protested, but it was to empty hospital walls she spoke, as the fairy had ever so quickly sped from the room.  The queen looked to the bundle in her arms, blue eyes locking onto same blue.  Yes, she decided, you are mine. 

      The prince grew, and while I would like to say the queen's fears    were unfounded, sadly, there was some meanness in the kingdom.  There was some fear as children ran away from the not so perfect one.  But as the years went on, the kingdom underwent a magical transformation.  The meanness turned to acceptance, and the fear to understanding. And it was a good life, but something was missing.  Until one day, the prince met a princess; some may call her a not so perfect princess, but to the prince, she was perfect in every way.

Each day, they spoke on the phone, telling each other secrets and laughing at each other's silly jokes until

finally, there came to be a ball, a celebration where all the people of the land would go, and where all the royal

subjects would see the not-so-perfect prince and his not-so-perfect princess.  Before the ball, there was a banquet, and they came from far and wide: aunts and uncles, fathers and mothers,  a grandmother and a grandfather with his camera, cousins and friends, sisters and brothers, waiters and waitresses, and even the palace chef. As the people of the kingdom watched, the not-so-perfect prince walked up to the not-so-perfect princess, and with tears in his eyes,  slid a bracelet of pink roses onto her outstretched arm.  The princess gazed up at him and, with shaking hands (as well as a little help from the queen) pinned two perfect roses to his lapel.  While all of this was going on, the two queen mothers locked eyes, but not for long, for they feared the

tears on their faces would flood the entire kingdom!  Theirs was a happy cry, different than the salty bitter tears of the past.  With each tear shed, now there was joy.  All too soon, it was time to go to the ball. The prince held out an arm, a most perfect resting place for the princess' delicate, rose and jewel encrusted hand. And out the door they went!  When they arrived at the ball, the other princes and princesses ran up to the not-so-perfect prince and his not-so-perfect princess declaring, "What beauty! How sweet!"  And as those other princes and princesses admired the young couple, the two queens and their two ladies in waiting, cried some more, laughter breaking through their tears.  As the two queens left the young couple to their ball and made their way happily out the door, they looked back one last time, and what they saw was indeed perfect: the prince and princess spinning to the music, beautiful and glowing and happy.



The Prince and Princess...

And they lived happily ever after... 





Growing up With Jared: It's Not About Me

Growing up With Jared: It's Not About Me: "Recently, our minister at church preached an Easter sermon titled, 'It's Not About Me.' His words rang true to me as I reflect back on my e..."

It's Not About Me

Recently, our minister at church preached an Easter sermon titled, "It's Not About Me."  His words rang true to me as I reflect back on my experiences with having a child with Down Syndrome.  I think I can say that I have safely made the trek from the "Why Me?" to an acceptence of a life, and a good life at that. Sure, things might have been easier if Jared did not have special needs, but there are really no guarantees, are there? So, I sit back and watch his life unfold before me. And it is a precious thing to watch. Jared is slowly leaving the somewhat egocentric venue of adolescence and starting to see, to really see the world around him. He wants to be a teacher assistant.  I can see him working with young people, perhaps young people with special needs.  He'd be a good guide for them, I think.  Last night, I watched him at Special Olympics. His friend, Matt was having trouble opening his water bottle.  I hadn't noticed, no one had, except Jared. I watched as he handed his water bottle to Gabby, and then reached out to Matt, took the bottle from his hand and opened it. Seeing Matt smile up at him in thanks for his help painted a picture of what Jared might do, of who he might be in this world. He loves people. He is becoming aware of them. He is helping. He is realizing, so much sooner than I ever did, that it truly is not about him.

Growing up With Jared: The Reservations are Made...

Growing up With Jared: The Reservations are Made...: "I called yesterday to make reservations at a local restaurant where Jared and Gabs will dine before the prom. The owner was wonderful-makin..."

The Reservations are Made...

I called yesterday to make reservations at a local restaurant where Jared and Gabs will dine before the prom.  The owner was wonderful-making special accomodations so that the kids can have their own table, with my sister, her husband, and John sitting with me at a nearby foursome. Poor prom kids-it'll probably be like being on a reality TV show with us watching their every move! I told Jared the reservations are under his name.  I can't wait to here him announce their arrival to the hostess. Small things mean so much more when the road to adulthood has been a long and curvy one.  Gabby has been prepping as well. She tried out the manicure color that she will be using: "I'm in the Mood for Love"...She told the girl at the salon that Jared would like that color...He better not like it too much! Gabby has been working on her tan as well. Flashes of my past come at me as I listen to these kids look forward to their special day.  I remember laying on the paved driveway in 40 degree weather trying to work on my tan as well-love these NY Springs!  These kids are living the dream, and we are so blessed to be a part of it! I'll be sure to send pics after the big day...It's coming up in about a week and1/2!