Comparing Apples to Oranges

Saturday evening we took our four youngest kids to a pancake supper fundraiser for a local church, and we sat with a German Baptist family who we've known through our homeschool support group for many years.  But because neither of our families are members of the support group anymore, we don't see each other very often.  We had a very nice time catching up on what our older children are doing now that they've finished high school.  

Another German Baptist family came by our table to say hello, and as we talked we realized their newest little one was born the exact same day as our little Jaeci.  But sharing a birthday is where the similarity stops....their daughter is quite a bit bigger than Jaeci and is walking and talking already.  She is even more developmentally advanced than Jaxon, who will be three in two months, yet still isn't walking or talking.  

I try not to compare our little ones to "typical" kids, but being a "typical" mom, sometimes I can't help myself, even though it's like comparing apples to oranges.  But thankfully, after six years of parenting special needs children, it doesn't take long for me to remember the blessing of their altered developmental timetable, which helps teach me how to slow down, to savor each moment and celebrate each milestone as precious gifts from God, not to be endured, but to be lovingly embraced.  

The Creed For Babies with Down Syndrome

Anonymous

My face may be different

But my feelings the same.

I laugh and I cry

And I take pride in my gains.

I was sent here among you

To teach you to love.

As God in the Heavens

Looks down from above.

To Him I’m no different

His love knows no bounds.

It’s those here among you

In cities and towns

That judge me by standards

That man has imparted

But this family I’ve chosen

Will help me get started.

For I’m one of the children

So special and few

That came here to learn

The same lesson as you

That love is acceptance

It must come from the heart

We all have the same purpose

Though not the same start

The Lord gave me life

To live and embrace

And I’ll do it as you

But at my own pace.