31 for 21: Day 2 {The Creed}
After Payton was born, I found The Creed for Babies with Down Syndrome somewhere online. It has always been a favorite of mine ... and I like to read it every now and again. More importantly, I like to share it every now and again. I love the message it sends and I only hope that others take it to heart and share that message with their children.
Now that my girls are getting older, their differences stand out a lot more to others ... especially kids and their peers. And that, for me, is the hardest part. I have to deal with kids asking me, "Why doesn't she talk?" I have to deal with kids staring at my girls because they look different or act different. You get the picture.
While I am a pretty strong person and I can handle these things pretty well, I have to admit that sometimes it breaks my heart. It breaks my heart that my girls are seen as being different. It breaks my heart that they might not ever be fully accepted by their typical peers. And it especially breaks my heart knowing that right now, my girls don't know the difference. They don't know that they are already being judged by other kids ... and society as a whole, really.
That ... my friends ... that breaks my heart.
So please, read this creed and if you feel led, sit your kids down and explain differences to them. Put yourself in my shoes and please help me spread awareness and acceptance. I'd do it for you!
The Creed of Babies with Down Syndrome
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 lessons 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 do
But at my own pace
