31 for 21: Day 8 Welcome to OUR Ds World, Baby...

wyatt, just a few days old....

i just opened my email to a message of a 2 week old baby in our community who has just received a diagnosis of Down syndrome.   the friend who emailed did not think that this family had a prenatal diagnosis.   every time i have the opportunity to talk to a parent of a newly diagnosed baby, i am more than willing to talk to them.   but oh it takes me back.....

back to those feelings of helplessness, of questioning, of sadness, of grief......   tremendous grief; the death of a dream that we never knew that we had.... the dream of a "healthy" baby.... a "typical" baby.  i'm pretty sure that nobody dreams of having a baby with Down syndrome.... unless they already have one!  

and so although i know the many blessings that lay ahead for this family, i also know the heartache that they are likely feeling right now.   i understand that they have a strong faith, which i know from experience will carry them through the dark days ahead.   because there will be dark days....  but oh when the sun breaks through.....  the blessings their baby will be to them and many others....

i will pray for them, and if called, i will share with them, and listen to them, and be there for them.  it is a privilege that i do not take lightly...... peace......