My mind has been preoccupied with two young children, taken away too soon. One was a boy, the other a girl. Each lived in a different state. I knew neither. Both had contagious smiles. Both had Down Syndrome.
Little R was about 2. He spent most of his time in a Children's Hospital. Like Josiah, little R had heart defects and had endured surgery. For Josiah, surgery made him whole. For R, the surgeries were many, solutions limited, cures not found. Little R's parents started a bucket list and, with their help, he accomplished many of the tasks on his list. He started a banana split for dinner craze (it became a worldwide phenomenon). He drank (root) beer with his daddy on his 21st (month, that is). He got a speeding ticket (for speeding down the hallway). He enjoyed life, love, and many snuggles. Finally, he found peace in his mother's arms.
Little K was 4. She was a typical little girl. She enjoyed her family, her brothers, her life. Recently, after climbing behind a bureau, she became the victim of positional asphyxiation. She was gone in the blink of an eye. News spread almost immediately throughout the DS community. Prayers were being sent up to Heaven from all corners. God had a different plan - he wanted K and so it was.
Josiah doesn't make us sad. His DS doesn't make us sad. We love his smiles. We love his curiosity. We love his strength, courage, determination, and will. He is like so many other children with, and without, DS. Perhaps that's why it's sad when we lose another precious life. All kids are precious, but there's something 'a little extra' special with our kids and the entire DS community knows it.
Prayers continue for the families who's children have gone Home.
I'm feeling very blessed for a wonderful family, beautiful children, hearts that are whole, and a life gifted by God.
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