Introducing Stone Soup 051312

My son, Josiah, was my inspiration for writing this blog.  Early in our pregnancy, we were told that he was likely to have Down Syndrome.  Our 'difficult decision' was never about 'keeping' him (that, was never a question).  Rather, it was "should were get the amniocentesis."  We decided to do the testing.  A few weeks later, their fears were confirmed; ours, relieved.  We knew what we were dealing with & there were many more terrifying possibilities that we no longer had to fear.

In the early months, there seemed to be a lot to write about as we adjusted to our new miracle.  Josiah got RSV and endured open-heart surgery.  Feeding/weight gain was, and continues to be, a struggle for him (and us).  However, after Josiah recovered from surgery, there seemed to be a bit of a lull.  There didn't seem to be a lot to write about.  Couple that fact with a little guilt (I felt I was shafting my other boys), I started included 'family stuff."

Regretfully, it's been suggested/implied that I've lost focus on this blog, that I'm including too much information beyond that which this blog was intended.

So, I've come up with this simple solution.  When I am interested in integrating 'other happenings,' I will title the post "Stone Soup" with a date.  This way you, my reader, will know that the post will NOT be focused on Josiah, or Down Syndrome, in general.  Posts should now be easily discernible for all, whilst giving the reader the choice in which posts to read.

From a historical standpoint, 'Stone Soup' is an old folk story which is, essentially, the story of cooperation.  From Wikipedia:

"Some travellers come to a village, carrying nothing more than an empty cooking pot. Upon their arrival, the villagers are unwilling to share any of their food stores with the hungry travellers. Then the travellers go to a stream and fill the pot with water, drop a large stone in it, and place it over a fire. One of the villagers becomes curious and asks what they are doing. The travellers answer that they are making "stone soup", which tastes wonderful, although it still needs a little bit of garnish to improve the flavour, which they are missing. The villager does not mind parting with a few carrots to help them out, so that gets added to the soup. Another villager walks by, inquiring about the pot, and the travellers again mention their stone soup which has not reached its full potential yet. The villager hands them a little bit of seasoning to help them out. More and more villagers walk by, each adding another ingredient. Finally, a delicious and nourishing pot of soup is enjoyed by all."

Just like the story, Josiah is not the only member of our family. He IS an integral part of it.  Not all of our activities or plans are based on Josiah, or his needs.  Our day-to-day happenings help create our household, add to our experience, shape who we are as people, and enhance our adventure.

Every 'Stone Soup' entry may be that bit of carrot, garnish, or seasoning that demonstrates how this family, including Josiah, reaches its full potential each and every day.