Eight years ago today.....

I guess I'll have to consider myself an occasional blogger.  Had such high hopes of posting tidbits every day or at least every other, but that is just not happening.   Oh well.  What has been happening lately is that my little Roo Bug has been growing up before her family's eyes.  Eight years ago today, at 10:54 pm, in a labor & delivery room at Meridian Park Hospital in suburban Portland, my life changed forever.   It's funny that such a little bitty newborn baby girl (5 lbs/7 oz), who slipped into the world with a short labor and relatively easy delivery (okay so there was still plenty of pain but it was worth it), could have turned my world upside down, made me question if God hated me (low moments, sad to say), given me more stress than I thought could be possible in life, and yet prove to be one of the brightest stars in my own personal universe with the ability to make me rise above complacency and drive me, and others who have met her to a much broader worldview, more compassion, and greater zeal for those with challenges, the vulnerable, often lonely, and all too often under-served people with disabilities all around us.

My darling Marisa opened up a world to me that I had barely glimpsed before.  I don't think I was ever, in any way, callous towards people with disabilities.  I just did not take note of them.  They and their families lived on the fringes of my little corner of the world.  I knew a few families who had kids with Down syndrome, but only in passing.  When Marisa was born, my thought of what it meant to have Down syndrome was that she would have some characteristic facial features and would need help with learning.  I didn't have the slightest clue regarding the broad range of medical complications and also the broad range of abilities seen in what I now call the "spectrum" of Down syndrome.  In her first two months out of the safety of my womb, I learned more medical vocabulary and met more medical specialists, social workers, case managers, lactation consultants, the list goes on and on, than I would probably have met in my life otherwise.   The vast majority of these new people in our lives were totally supportive and respectful towards my new child.  I did receive looks and/or comments implying pity now and then, but that wasn't the norm.   Most of the professionals who worked with Marisa her first few years could not have done a better job of showing with their words and deeds that she deserved the best care regardless of her underlying diagnosis.  I am so thankful for that!  

So, fast forward to today.  Today Marisa and I brought 3 dozen little pink frosted doughnuts (special ordered from Starbucks) to share with her classmates and teachers.  A chorus of Happy Birthdays rang out as she walked into the school building.   Her family took her to her favorite restaurant and she ate a Happy Cake Pancake for her birthday dinner, followed up by a slice of ice cream cake at home.   Needless to say it's back to a more balanced diet tomorrow!   I'm planning an all class party for her as soon as I figure out when and where.  Basically life is good, especially if you're 8 years old.  

I can't say it has been easy, and I also can't say there haven't been times when I have failed miserably as a parent and at times have not deserved her; but I thank God every day for the little, wonderful person born 8 years ago today.