Adopted Children with Down Syndrome

"The cover of your book about your son, Jeff has his picture on it when he was one or two, doesn't it?" asked the sales clerk when I checked on its progress at Alpha and Omega. "No, Jeff was four in that picture. He has Down Syndrome." The man's manner brightened immediately. "We have a lady who works in here who adopted two children with Down Syndrome, a girl and boy only four months apart. She wanted them to grow up together. She has six other children who do not have Down Syndrome. This is one special lady!!" He was enthusiastic to tell me he had invited them out to his home where they could ride horses, which they thoroughly enjoy. "I love to have them around. There are lots of smiles and hugs, and there is no pretending with them -- they are right up front!" We concluded that the love that children with Down syndrome give is an unconditional love. I remember Jeff often saying to the people in his Lifetime Assistance, Inc. residences "I love you!" Some would say to him, "Ah, Jeff, you say that all the time. You don't mean it." And Jeff would simply reply, "I love you!" and leave it at that. This conversation in the store was a great blessing for me.

A Different Point of View

My friend, Bobbie, surprised me by saying "Journey With Jeff"had changed her life! She and I belonged to a Writer's Group where I read an excerpt from this book for them to critique a while ago. Bobbie said, "You made me see a different point of view. Usually I avoid people with special needs so I don't look as if I am pitying them." She continued, "Driving through town recently, I saw a person leaning on arm crutches crossing the street -- very, very slowly. It made me wonder what it must be like when crossing a street requires every bit of one's energy." Was Bobbie putting herself in that person's shoes, and sensing her determination, courage, and perseverance, rather than looking the other way?!? It makes me very happy to make a difference in someone's life!

Conditional Love and Encouragement?

 
"You look so familiar!" I said to a woman at our Senior Center; "What's your name?" She told me, and we studied each other for a moment before we both said the other's name at the same time! Big hug! I hadn't seen her for many years, but I remember something I don't think she remembers. 25 -- 30 years ago when we often met for lunch I'd talk about my intense dream of writing Jeff's story for publication. After a while, when this work didn't fall into place, and I STILL longed for it, she impatiently said, "Sybil, I don't want to hear from you again until you've written that book!!!" ~~~ I believe she was challenging me to "Just DO it!"~~~ she believed this goading would motivate me to get it done!!~~~ Catching up a little with each other's lives today, I mentioned that I have written "Journey With Jeff." She responded lightly, "I knew you would."~~~ Maya Angelou has said, "I have learned that people will forget what you said; people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made then feel." I pray I will never bury a relationship with treatening words of conditional love.

Chemotherapy and "Journey With Jeff"

Donna writes from Kentucky: "A short while ago, I received a phone call from the man who is the chaplain at the hospital. Remember, I told you I had loaned him your book? He was amazed at the honesty and emotion of the book. Not just the stories in there, but that you were able to convey them with such a fine balance of professionalism, personal expression, humility and intestinal fortitude. Seasoned authors often are unable to pull that off. Your faith shone through the pages. The chaplain's name is Kerry, and he needs prayer. He has been diagnosed with and is being treated for colon cancer. That's when he finally was able to read your book --during chemotherapy! This precious child of God enjoys the interaction involved in what he was chosen to do. He still "tends his sheep" about five days a week, and whenever he can be there when he's needed. Kerry requires one day a week for recovery from the chemo sessions. He knows that whatever happens will be part of God's plan and to His glory. He gratefully and humbly accepts the love shown by any and all prayers offered on his behalf, knowing that prayer changes things. If you can get this kind man on a prayer chain, please do so. God bless you and yours."