A meeting of the hearts

I've been a member of an international online support forum for a year called downsyn. In this one place, people from all walks of life, religions, political stances, ethnicity, etc. come together to share the love of our children that have a little something extra. Our common bond is our children (& sometimes grandchildren, nieces/nephews) who happen to have Down syndrome. Downsyn has been a place that I have come to rely on a a source of great knowledge. It is filled with momologists (& dads) who often know more about health issues than doctors and specialists I've come in contact with. We don't always agree on everything, especially when it comes to politics, but we always come to a meeting of the hearts. These families have held me up, given me encouragement and information and a shoulder to cry on each and every time I've needed it. I am blessed to have them and I owe that to my beautiful daughter Sophia Madison. For without her I would not have met so many wonderful people. I would not be the person I am today.

Every year or so in different areas of the world, someone plans a meet up and members get together to overdose on one another's beautiful children. This weekend I went to my first meet-up. Mark stayed home to work. Alexander, Soph, and I rode with Larkin and Amy to Peoria. My crew shared a suite with Brigette and Josie and Amy F. and MayMay. 15 families, 2 countries, and 4 states were represented this weekend. We played. We laughed our butts off. We cried. I'm still taking it all in. It was a weekend I'll never ever forget.

Feel free to take a peek at some of the most beautiful faces you'll ever have the privilege of laying eyes on. I always cry like a baby as I see the joy in the kids' faces and the obvious love and adoration from the families.

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