I find that watching her is one of my most wonderful blessings. The years seem to have flown by and now, she is just a couple of months shy of her fifth birthday. She can do whatever she tries to do, follows her sister wherever she goes and can hold her own (especially in the ones she starts), in a good old fashioned wrestle. She has learned that pouting works with everyone but me and doesn’t even bother anymore. She just points her finger at me and says things that I’m almost glad I can’t understand. She has her own mind, her own will and her own ambitions. She has her own way of doing things and is pretty set on doing it HER way. Having to share everything and everyone with a sister who is cut from the same cloth makes like interesting, to say the least.
When Gracie first came into the world, she was early. Very early. And she was almost immediately diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome. She won our hearts so quickly, we didn’t really have a chance to absorb the fact that she had Down’s. We prayed and God answered; she would touch our lives in a way that none of us, not even us optimists, could ever imagine.
While she says many things that are amusing, there are two phrases she says that melt me like warm chocolate. “Hi Nini” and “Love you, too, Nini”. I’ve never once called when Gracie was around that she didn’t pick up the phone and say “Hi Nini”, whether she knew it was me or not. I love that. It makes me feel good inside to know that I am part of this beautiful child’s life. I’m not the only one, though. Ask anyone who has had the pleasure of being around her; she has a gift. A gift of encouragement and light. She never fails to bring joy to anyone who sees her. It is rather awesome to watch. She has a special light around her; one that makes everyone want to be near her … makes me want to be near her. A light that makes even the worst of days insignificant when she puts those little arms around my neck.
She has come a long way, our Gracie. From barely hanging on to thriving and living in a world she feels safe in and isn’t afraid to explore. She reminds me what I want to be when I grow up. Yes, she is truly a blessing in my life, but by far, not the only one; not by a longshot. (If you haven’t read Watching Gracie Grow, read it here http://wp.me/p1CqmN-m )
Psalms 100 ~ 1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord; all ye lands. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
A Photographer's Heart 