Blessed be the number 3.

So we all know the number three is linked to the Bible. We have the Holy Trinity, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was resurrected on the 3rd day. Moses asked God 3 questions. Earth was formed on the 3rd day. The number 3 is mentioned over 500 times in the Bible. We (Christians) have 3 lives: Birth, Life, and Death (where we receive our everlasting life with God). The rooster crowed on the 3rd time Peter denied he knew Jesus. The list goes on and on.

So, what is the connection here? The 3 copies of the 21st chromosome of course! ;o)

Trisomy 21 is a blessing. Trisomy 21 has been a blessing to my family from the very beginning. I can honestly say I have never cried a tear over Joseph's Trisomy 21 diagnosis. Have I cried? Sure, I have but not because of Trisomy 21. I have cried over the prospect of Alzheimer's when he gets older, I have cried over his epilepsy diagnosis. I have allowed pity to overwhelm me when back in March I witnessed 20 month old typical twins playing together and knowing my boys were not doing that and wondered when they would. And like usual, I came to my senses and realized I was feeling pity for myself not my boys and decided that was not something I wanted to woller in.

My message for the world is simple. Trisomy 21 is not the end of the world; Trisomy 21 is the beginning of a world you never knew before.

Joseph poses his own uniqueness in this world. He loves his therapists. He gives sweet, wet, opened mouth kisses. He laughs with sweet abandon. He is learning as he grows. He does this great "Wonder Twin Powers" activate thingie with is twin Jackson where they reach out their forefingers to one another until they touch and it makes my heart melt. He feeds himself with a fork and he is getting much better about not throwing his plate on the floor. He uses about 20-25 words with intent. He can even say Sarah (and that is the name of his speech therapist).

Now, I won't try persuade you with all rose colored examples. Is life tough? Sure is, sometimes. But that is not because I have a special needs child. It is tough sometimes because life is unsure, unfair and unpredictable. My first born son, Jared, has severe allergies, strabismus (which was corrected with surgery and then went awry again) and is very intelligent and extremely STUBBORN. Joseph is my mellow fellow, my carefree baby, but he has needed tubes in his ears and when he had his tonsils and adenoids out we wound up in the hospital for severe dehydration. During that time, my spirit was broken. My baby was sick and I could do nothing to make him better, in time it passed and I am stronger for having been there with him. Jackson is my WILD CHILD. He is stubbornly independent but also the best little helper ever. He is the one I never worried too much about.......UNTIL he escaped was found two houses away from ours just toddling down the country road that we live on. He SCARED the living day lights out of me and his dad. But, with everything in my heart and soul, I can without a doubt say life with Down syndrome is no tougher for me than raising my typical child.

I never knew the joy I was missing and Joseph has showed me so much. I have learned to slow down because of him. I have learned to focus because of him. I have learned to wait patiently (still learning that one!) because of him. God has shown me so much through Joseph, and I imagine these lessons are the same ones HE has been trying to show me for years but, shamefully, I admit it took Joseph to open my eyes. I missed out on a lot of Jared's early years and cannot get them back now but I am grateful Jared was my first born, Joseph my second and Jackson my final baby. What a motley crew they are and I love them for it.

This picture is an oldie but a goodie......taken in January of 2008