It's December....

And it is snowing here today. I am still sick and feeling an unsettling feeling in my tummy. I was just checking out Babycenter a few moments ago and I just cannot seem to forget about something a friend of mine had written.

Sheva was in New York recently visiting family and, unfortunately, encountered some resistance where Rozie is concerned. My heart goes out to her. I just cannot imagine the hurt she has dealt with over what happened.

I had tried my best to point out the generation gap that would cause such feelings to be brought to light. Still, it doesn't make such thing right in any fashion.

My family has always been so accepting of Joseph--except for once when my father-in-law said that God would heal him (even that I don't think was not acceptance but more fear than anything). Everyone we know loves, Loves, LOVES Joseph. They all think he is the cats meow. Even the older generations just gush over him. My Aunt Max is the same age as the people who were shunning Rozie and, for whatever reason, my Aunt Max looks at Joseph as Joseph. Nothing more. Nothing less.

My family does have experience with disabilities. Patty Jones has been a blessing to the Massey family for as long as she has been alive. I was shown by my family and by my first husband's family (The Goad's) how to LOVE a person with a disability. I was taught how to raise them in their home and LOVE them. I was taught how to show respect to each person, no matter their abilities.

I wish with everything in me I could erase the pain that has marred Sheva's heart. I really do. But I am thankful for my own family being so accepting and I am thankful that she shared with us the battle in her own heart to deal with it and move past it. I pray she is able to do so, swiftly and easily. But, I also pray that in the time those family members are left here on Earth that they will learn to LOVE Rozie, Down syndrome and all.