Most of us parents believe our kids make us better people. All three of my kids have made me a better human. I also want to be better because of them.

In this process of becoming, I find that my youngest daughter, who has Down syndrome, has helped me become more me. 

She lives without holding back. 

She lives big.

She lives bold.

She lives unapologetically.

She lives loud.

She lives joyfully.

She lives all in.

Her example encourages me to do the same and be more me — without holding back, living boldly (even when my knees are shaking and I am scared), unapologetically and joyfully me.

She brings out the truest me I am.

It’s her gift: inviting people to be who they truly are.

I believe this is one of the most impactful and outstanding contributions a human being can bring to those around them.

There is a reason I call her magnificent.

Her intellectual disability does present challenges in her development, but a lower IQ is not a lesser life. Because she is more. So much more. 

Because of her I dance. Fully me.

Because of her I sing off tune. Fully me.

Because of her I laugh out loud. Fully me.

Because of her I give myself permission to dream big. Fully me, holding on to courage.

Yes, she makes me a better person, but she makes me fully me. She accepts me completely, even with the many flaws I have. She celebrates me. She loves me. 

Sometimes the best gift we can receive from another human is not that they make us better, but that they accept us completely, in the moment, for exactly w we are now no matter how flawed we are. 

We all need to be validated for being us, without a need to change.

She does that, every day.

For her and for her sisters, I do want to be better, yet I can be confident that who I am now is enough for them.

***
Let’s connect on Facebook