I didn’t realize how excited I would be going back to the hospital one year after Jack’s birth.  While we were driving today I realized that it was the exact same time and day of the week.  A Monday afternoon around 3 o’clock.  We even took the same route to get there…but instead of my uterus contracting…I felt like my heart was. 🙂

Creating Jack’s baskets has been such a delight.  Thinking of what to put in the basket, hearing from friends and family that would like to contribute, getting packages at the front door filled with blankets made by friends with love, picking out an adorable outfit that will bring a smile to the family’s faces when their precious baby is in it, and simply watching how God put the words to the letter on paper.  How do you put in to words what your child has taught you in this year?  Remembering the early feelings that were experienced, the grief, the fears…and then the joy.  The moments I did not expect, the fears that haven’t come to fruition, the amazing ways people show their love, the silent moments when God gives you peace.  How do you fit that into half of an 8.5 X 11 piece of cardstock?

And then it came…

Dear parents, 

Hello, my name is Carissa and I would love to be one of the first people to congratulate you on your newest addition to your family.  Congratulations!  I also want you to know I have also experienced receiving unexpected news.  My husband and I welcomed our son, Jack, and were told at birth that he was born with an extra chromosome and has Down syndrome.  There were moments of confusion, grief of what we thought our lives would be like, and fear.  Please know that you are not alone in your feelings.  

Although this basket and words of encouragement might be hard to read at this moment, I hope that you find comfort in hearing from our family and friend that is also raising a child with Down syndrome.  I encourage you not to read (at this point) the outdated material that will give you generalized statistics and  concerns that are associated with Down syndrome.  I found comfort in hearing from actual families that are loving and living their lives with children with Down syndrome.  

So with that, I want to tell you a little about what Jack’s life has already taught us…

He looks like his older brother, Luke.  He has his nose, his ears, and his amazing hair.  He is more similar to him than different.  He is rolling, sitting, playing, babbling, laughing, learning and exploring.  He has my husband’s strong willed determination to accomplish tasks that many of us take for granted.  He can cuddle like no other and his eyes speak right to your soul.  His smile will make anyone’s day turn around and his extra special chromosome has made relationships stronger and mended others.  His life has been a blessing to us and inspired others.  The unexpected news of him having Down syndrome was not a surprise to God, and it has been a year of trusting that He has a perfect plan for our family.  

Although there were many tears at the beginning, I would not change one thing about Jack.  He has been such a gift to our family.  He was fearfully and wonderfully made by God, just like your precious baby.  

My prayer for you is that you take the time to grieve the baby you thought, and love the baby you were given.  Your precious baby will steal your heart, will stitch it up with a much stronger, more beautiful thread that will be a much better masterpiece than you could have ever imagined yourself.  

Most of my hard days are when I allow myself to look too far down this journey and I am quickly reminded when I gaze upon his beautiful eyes that he just needs my love today.  God will sustain you and give you the strength and guidance you need to be the best parents for your child.  Trust Him and you will experience the unexpected…JOY!  

Blessings to you and your family.  Enjoy this basket, filled with love and support for you from our sweet Jack and those that love him.  

Love, 

Jack’s family

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I  praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I  know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.“ Psalm 139:13-15