I found myself with a friend in Best Buy last Saturday afternoon looking for a couple of memory cards for her camera.
As we were were waiting to ask a customer service rep a few questions, I glanced over and saw a young man with Down syndrome who was looking at computers with his Dad.
I can’t help it. When I see another person proudly carrying an extra chromosome, it brings the biggest smile to my face.
It literally makes my day.
I must have gotten carried away in the moment because suddenly I became aware of this young man’s father looking at me rather strangely.
Oops.
Right then our turn to ask our customer service questions arrived and my attention was diverted. I was so disappointed.
But luck was with me and on our way out of the store I noticed father and son in line to pay for their purchase. This time I walked straight up to them, introduced myself and told the father that my son with Down syndrome would be turning 5 in November.
As the father introduced his son, Andrew, to me, he looked me straight in the eye and shared that Andrew was the best blessing that had ever happened to him.
That was something I knew all about of course. The blessing of having a child with Down syndrome in your life.
It’s something that a parent who doesn’t have a child with Down syndrome may find hard to understand.
This thankfulness, the feeling of gratitude, the love that makes you feel as though your heart will burst because you are lucky enough to be the parent of a kid with an extra chromosome.
I wish I could have stayed and chatted longer. Invited them over to meet Parker. But my friend had a plane to catch and we were already behind schedule.
Not to mention that I’m sure I was close to breaking every stalking law in the state of Utah.
But just thinking about last Saturday still brings a smile to my face.
And a whole lotta joy to my heart.
(Doesn’t he look, you know……..HEALTHY?)
I can so agree with you!!! The love & joy my brother brings to our family can only be understood if you’ve also been blessed with a child with a little something extra
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Parker looks so cute in those pictures, as always.
Qadoshyah
What a beautiful post Tammy! I bet you made that sweet dad’s day
Parker is so beautiful in these pics, I swear he gets cuter by the day! He has been such a blessing to me and I have never even met him 
Hugs,
Amy
He does look healthy, and happy.
I LOVE it when I see other people with Down syndrome! It doesn’t happen to me often… but it makes my day too!
my son has a deletion in his chromosome (#15, Angelman Syndrome), but I don’t love him any less!
I’m the same way- people with more or less chromosomes- kids or adults- just warm my heart. I have found myself in the same situation, where I’m looking, then I don’t want them to perceive me as rude, so I end up introducing myself and explaining.
I remember one mom and child in particular where I was checking out the wheelchair intensely in the elevator, then realized I looked horrible, and explained that my little guy was getting a new wheelchair and I was checking out all the features, and spoke with the child too. I always am sure to speak with the individual, even if I don’t expect a response. (my son is non-verbal)
I’ve met some of the most amazing people in my life, and beautiful spirits because of my little guy. And the face that I share something in common with other parents like you did- gives me the opportunity to open up and speak to them.
As I write this, my daughter has her friend here, and they are pretending one has a walker and can’t walk independently, and they are gathering donations for the children’s hospital. Hmm… they aren’t influenced by her special brother, are they?
Parker is very handsome! My son was a best buddy in high school (past 4 yrs) to a boy named Alec who has down syndrome! What a joy he brought to my son. Having him as his buddy opened up my sons eyes and realized we may not look the same but we sure do need to be loved!
Many blessings!
I don’t find that hard to understand at all. And he does look GREAT!!!
While I do not have a child with DS I do have a trach child and I can totally relate. The joy and happiness a “special” child brings to your heart is well… special
As someone who has been away for a while (4th baby – lots of work) I have to say that Parker does look AWESOME! He is so very precious! Love this post!!
Hey Tammy
Parker is looking great! And I do know what you are talking about. I wrote a post not too long ago about how I used to worry that my daughter was not experiencing having a “normal” toddler. But then again, other people aren’t experiencing what my daughter has with Maddox being so delayed. She is so blessed and feels so honored to be his mom.
Could not have said it better! And yes, I too am a stalker, but always follow up with a ‘hello’ and a ‘reason’ as to why I am so inquisitive! Parker looks awesome above! xo
We were grocery shopping today & while Sarah was trying to decide which cereal she wanted, we watched a young man w/Ds also looking for a box of cereal. He took his time looking for wanted, saying to no one in particular, “nah, that’s too big a box…. Maybe this one… Oh, yeah, this one I think” as he finally grabbed a box of whole grain cheerios. He looked at his shopping list for the next item and went down the aisle. The coolest thing was we noticed was there was no one around except us and him…. no support person! Just a young independent man.
Parker does look healthy…radiant, happy, thriving.
Told you so…
Love to you all.
P.S. I understand the “extras” with which many of us are blessed.
Well, I just wanted to say thank you for making MY day. Love those pics of Parker!
Great story! I think we must all do the stalking thing.
He is adorable! he looks exactly like a kid I had in preschool/day care a few years ago. even the clothes he’s wearing are similar! I wish you well on your guys’ heart cath. I work on a cardiac floor as a nurse now. while i work with adults, i can only imagine your anxiety.
Krystina
He’s growing up fast, look at him!!! beautiful pictures.