Walk A Mile - A Gift From God

My guest blogger today is Suzie, who blogs at Lily's Life Is Great.  I've never met Lily, but I know by reading Suzie's words that her life is great.  But Suzie's here to tell it in her own words.

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With my husband being in the construction business we have several ladders at our home. There is a tall metal one and a short wooden one and one that bends up smaller and is easy to carry. The one we depend on and use the most is none of these. 

The ladder we depend on is not as wobbly as the old wooden one but it can't physically hold us up. 

The ladder we depend on, although short, is a bit heavy to carry.

The tall metal ladder was once blue and shiny. The ladder we depend on most will never lose it's shine and it will take us higher than we could ever imagine. 

The ladder we depend on most is our daughter, Lily. Lily is the one that makes us strive to step higher, to live a better life. She will be the reason we climb nearer to God.

Lily's life (of only 11 years) has been a rich one. She was very much wanted before she was ever born. Even knowing that she would have Down syndrome did not stop us from knowing that she was meant for our family, and we had been waiting a long time for her to arrive. Lily was not born into our family but was born for our family. From the time she was born she has been sharing her spirit with anyone that needs it; from complete strangers to close family members. She can seek out those that need a hug, need to laugh, or need to be reminded to take things with ease.

The second night of this baby girl's life, and the first time I saw her, we were asked by the birth family to give Lily a blessing. (Lily had several intestinal problems, including a missing esophagus.) I remember walking into the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) having to scrub up to my elbows until my skin was raw and then we were taken to a room full of 4 baby units. Oh, the lights, machines, noises, it was all a bit overwhelming. Then my eyes laid sight on her. She was beautiful. I really mean beautiful; lot's of dark hair and this enchanting face. She was mine. I wasn't comprehending everything that was happening, At that moment it was still surreal. Here she was, mine to touch and hold, but unlike my three sons I had not felt her grow inside me. I didn't feel her kick or hiccup. I didn't hear her heartbeat in the doctor's office. I didn't even go to the doctor's office! But, I knew at first glance she was my daughter sent to me from my Heavenly Father.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness month. On Facebook and through blogs I am friends with hundreds of families that have someone in their life with Ds. We will be celebrating our children throughout the month. Our children are not burdens to us.We love them unconditionally just like the rest of our children. What I have found through following these families around the world is that their lives, just like my family's, have been enhanced, enriched, and made stronger because they have someone with Ds in their life. Yes, we face challenges. Some of our children have severe medical problems, and families can face financial burdens. Our children are slower to learn some things and society can be very cruel. We face challenges putting our children in schools, finding them jobs, and just being accepted. But I have NEVER been around someone with Ds that hasn't lifted me up to a better place. I smile and am content when I am at a Ds event. The adults with Ds will honestly tell you the challenges they have faced and how their feelings have been hurt but they continue to push forward. They continue to care and love those around them, forgive those that have wronged them, and go on with life because that is what you do.

Lily has taken me way out of my box, changed me for the better, and is helping step up one rung at a time.