Lessons Along The Way .....

A few months back I was at the park with the boys and Zoey.It was a weekend and Mark was working.We ventured out to enjoy the day and the park was the boys destination of choice.I have to tell you, that that visit was the last time I was at the park.Yep,about two months ago.I know,kind of unusual for a mom of six.Well, of course the girls have long out grown the park but when they were young,the park was a daily outing.Daily,unless weather didn't permit.But with the boys and Zoey,things are different.The park and I don't exactly jive.I feel out of place and uncomfortable.Hard to say why for certain but you could probably guess.Definitely a personal hang up.Unable to push myself out of the house and place myself in a position to analyze stares and glances,to avoid the questions or actually the lack there of,to yield to the paranoia that everyone is looking at me with pity,the mom with the Down syndrome child.Most is imagined but some,some is very real.On this day ,as I watched the boys climb the playground equipment and master the monkey bars,Zoey and I stood on the sidelines watching.I, trying to avoid eye contact with other parents, with the hope that I could also avoid a tinge of sadness as I watched other children,Zoey's age,giggling with glee as they independently flung themselves down the slide.As I stood back, a dad stood adjacent to me watching his daughter and son run circles around the make shift bouncy track.We began talking.He was really kind and soft spoken,very interested,in not a just trying to be polite way, when we spoke.We talked about his children and of mine.He said he had a another little guy who was home with his wife.We talked.It was painful and a slight bit awkward for me.I let go of some of my defensiveness and actually began enjoying the conversation with another parent.Something I don't often get.Before long,his wife arrived with their little one.I introduced myself and as part of my social "issues", began a nonstop flow of incessant words and information that I really, truly thought, left this sweet girl shell shocked.Hardly got a word in edge wise,poor thing.She told me she had a very good friend from a near by town that was adopting a little boy through Reece's Rainbow.She wondered if she could forward my blog to her.I of course said that was more than alright and offered myself up if her friend had any questions.Not that I am an expert on Down syndrome but I suppose I have learned a thing or two over the last 2 years.What I was so touched by was that her friend had 4 children, under the age of eight, all "typical" children and that her friend and her husband felt called to adopt a child with special needs.I thought,how cool is that.I would venture to say that the greatest percentage of families who adopt a child with Down syndrome ,already have a biological child who also has Down syndrome.That through the beauty of their child's birth they have seen the great joy that comes with raising these incredible kids.That someone consciously decides to adopt a child,who they know will have challenges of various degrees and levels,well,I think that it speaks volumes as to the character and heart of those people.Well,this mom from the park and I parted ways.I was certain that she left thinking I was a total wack job and I convinced myself that the park, is probably not for me.We headed home and within the week I heard from her friend Alison.I could go detail by detail on the path this friendship has taken in a short time but I suppose I should sum it up the best I can and try and do justice to this beautiful family.Mike and Alison have done a selfless and amazing thing when they said yes to that inner voice,to pursue adoption.In Alison's own words,"We knew before we were married that we would adopt- a child w/ special needs was what we hoped for. Tate is that reality for us. We would jump through fire for any of our children. This trip (although extremely challenging) is all part of the process. We are thankful that God has given us this opportunity. It is really exciting to be a part of His plan and to watch it unfold."Says it all.As I close, I would like to share with you one of the many lessons I have learned through this new friendship with this incredible family.It is this:Perhaps I should venture to the park more often.Maybe I should open my eyes to the lessons and the gifts that lie within a simple place, such as a playground.If I continue to let,what amounts to fear,dictate my action on a daily basis,then I run the risk of missing out on some life changing experiences.Some life changing people.I also run the risk of not allowing others to see the beauty and grace of a child that has so many things to teach this world.I run the risk of missing important moments of my journey.Thank you for allowing my family to be part of your families journey,McKay crew.We feel privileged to be tagging along.So without further adieu, pause the blog music below and ....... I give you Tate: