This is my son- he turned 4 yesterday. Four years ago, on the last day of the year, I felt God winking at us. For months, we grieved my growing belly. We knew the boy inside of me had Down syndrome. We thought our lives had become tragic. 2014 was without a doubt the worst year of our lives- I was sure of it. But then he came, unexpectedly, he stared at us intensely with his almond-shaped eyes and I knew that we would no longer say that 2014 was the worst year of our lives. Because what I thought was the worst thing, instead ended up being an unexpected thing.
Here’s what I’ve come to realize: some of life’s greatest gifts are wrapped in unexpected packaging.
My son’s extra chromosome was certainly never in my life plan. But when I think back over the last three decades of my life, the unexpected has provided some of the most beautiful parts. Four years ago, I thought I would grieve who my son wasn’t. Instead, I started embracing who he was and lost some parts of myself that needed to go. He is the unexpected gift that keeps giving; giving light, lessons and unsurpassed love.
I don’t know what 2019 will hold for you or me. But my prayer for all us is is that we come across an unexpected package that we embrace what’s inside.
P.S. Here are a few pictures from Anderson’s 4th birthday/New Year’s Eve party.
Pin it:
