My mom and I took Sheridan out to eat dinner last week at a yummy restaurant in Carmel.
We had a 25 minute wait so we sat outside (well, I sat while Sheridan walked my mom up and down the block a few hundred times - did I mention he's a full-time walker now? It's been too long since I've posted on his big accomplishments!).
Another family was waiting, too. A mom, her 16-year-old daughter, and her 2-year-old daughter Olivia. Olivia and Sheridan are the same age, and he was all about trying to play with her. He walked right up to her (and some of you know what a big deal that is!) and wanted to hang out... in brief spurts between walking my mom :) And Olivia desperately wanted some of Sheridan's snack (the hostess hooked him up with some fresh-baked bread slathered with peanut butter to help us survive the wait for a table), so Olivia was pretty interested in hanging out with Sheridan, too.
When we got a table (the hostess LOVED Sheridan so she got us in after 15 minutes) we looked up and saw that we were being sat next to the family from outside (now the dad had arrived and was sitting with everyone). And after we sat down I could tell the husband and wife were talking about Sheridan, but I figured the woman was just relaying the story of how Sheridan and Olivia were sort of playing outside during the wait.
As I looked at the menu, the father came over and squatted down next to Sheridan's highchair.
"It is no coincidence you are sitting next to us," he was kindly stroking Sheridan's hair, smiling at him, and genuinely pouring love out to Sheridan. "You're sitting next to a family who had two special needs children. We love children with special needs. LOVE children with special needs."
I immediately smiled, and thought to myself, "had." He told me that one child had died at age 1, and the other at age 12. He didn't tell me their diagnosis, and I didn't ask. This wasn't about diagnoses.
It was about love.
He said that those two children were the most precious gift they had ever been given, and all he was "left with is those two knuckle heads," motioning to Olivia and her big sister (tongue-in-cheek, sarcastically of course!).
They knew Sheridan had Ds (not sure why I'm always surprised when people "see" that Sheridan has Ds, but I am).
He said, "You know, other people look at you and think, 'thank goodness it's them, not me.' But they don't get it. They don't get how amazing these children are. How much they bring you...
But we get it. We get it."
It's rare to see that much love in a stranger's eyes, the same love I likely have in my eyes when I talk about Sheridan.
And I guarantee that they get it.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
ReplyDelete♥,
Jonna
What a precious encounter. God bless those who "get it." I hope we can all help others "get it" too.
ReplyDeleteWow, that moment has brought tears to my eyes. I get it too...
ReplyDeleteLisa, I think this is one of your best posts ever.
ReplyDeletelove love LOVE when you find people who get it.
ReplyDeleteSweet moment, thanks for sharing and way to go on the walking Sheridan!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful post. Sad for that family, but I always love the reminder about how relevant our children are to so many people.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful. I've met 3 people now who tell me they had a child with DS. Although it is sad and hard, to talk with a stranger about their loss in a grocery store or wherever, they inevitably love Nathan and have such positive memories of their children to relate. Amazing how having a child with Down Syndrome opens up the door to these conversations and moments that would likely never have happened otherwise. Because we have these kids, people know we get it too.
ReplyDeleteI like to call those types of meetings, 'divine appointments'. What a great opportunity to see Sheridan through the eyes of another. He is loved!
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE!
ReplyDeleteWe had a moment like that when our son was young. A man was in line behind us at an amusement park. After a few minutes he casually asked my husband if our son was "mongaloid"? We were all ready to be defensive, but just said "yes, they don't really call it that anymore, he has Down Syndrome" The man teared up and said that his brother had that. He then pulled out a picture of him out of his wallet and told us he'd died over twenty years ago and he really missed him. It was one of those moments we will never forget. I promise you this is one you won't forget either. It's those moments you draw on when you are fighting an IEP placement of trying to get more services. The people that "get it" keep you going!
ReplyDeleteYou have so many wonderful encounters. They make me smile. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOk that was AWESOME!! you lifted my spirits today..smiles and hugs :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, beautiful moment, Lisa...Thanks for sharing. XOXOXO
ReplyDeleteOh, wow! Didn't expect to have tears tonight. Thanks, Lisa. That was beautiful and a great reminder that not everyone who "talks about our kids" is talking in an unkind manner. I'm glad the man had the courage to come share that.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful that he came up to you and shared such inspirational and beautiful words with you!
ReplyDeleteSo many people are quick to tell me how lucky I am to have Cody (I agree!) and I feel the same way about other families blessed with children with special needs. They sure have a way of wrapping themselves around our hearts!!!
what a terrific encounter!! I needed to read that tonight..I've had two encounters this week from those that don't "get it". Needed to read that divine encounter!
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