Leaving us notes!

The other day Vince asked for a blank DVD to back up something on his computer. I went to my desk and grabbed a pack of dvd's and gave them to him. The first one looked like it had a scratch so Vince picked up a 2nd one. As he took the 2nd one off the cilinder there on the 3rd one down was a dvd with Sammy's handwriting on it. It was just one of the many notes he use to write! He love to imitate and writing was one way he could be just like his everyone else. I remember whenever we went to Disney, Sammy would take his autograph book and enjoy asking for his favorites to sign it. Then at the end of the day he would go to a blank page toward the back of the book and write a note and sign it with SAM! He wrote in so many books and finding a note from Sam this week was wonderful and sad all at the same time. Sammy would have been 17 this week. It doesn't get any easier, you just get better at it. God is good.

This is my letter to the editor. I write one each year for Down syndrome Awareness month.

Although our son will always be 15, Sammy would have celebrated his 17th birthday this October 11th. Sammy was born with Down syndrome and at the time of his birth our family had no idea what a gift we had just received! Sammy, as well as so many individuals with Down syndrome, gave to us so much more that we could ever have given to him. He was our teacher all of his life. We all need to take time to learn from all individuals with Down syndrome. For 15 years, 2 months, 21 days, our family was loved unconditionally. Sammy didn’t judge us. He didn’t care if we were millionaires or paupers. He was happy sitting at the kitchen counter with us as much as going out on the town. He gave us great joy and gifts of himself each day. This month is Down syndrome awareness month and we all need to be aware that having a friend or family member with Down syndrome is a gift that we need to appreciate and embrace. The world is a better place because of individuals with Down syndrome and I would also like to think that I am a better person because of Sammy. Those of you who knew Sammy, my hope is that you learned from him and remember him with a smile. Those of you who didn’t know him my hope is that you will someday meet and get to know an individual with Down syndrome. You will be forever blessed with a gift of love and an amazing friendship.

It doesn't get easier. You just get better at it. God is good!