Today, January 20, 2017, is a historic day, a day filled with much celebration and rejoicing. People who don't know us might assume it's because our country is inaugurating its 45th president, Donald Trump...but anyone who knows me and the issues important to me knows that cannot be the case.
And yet today we celebrate someone who will (and already has) changed the world: you. As you turn six, I think about all of the people whose lives and ideologies you have already touched and affected, starting with myself. When you were born, I knew nothing about Down Syndrome, and I was scared, not sure I was "up to" the job of being your mom. But you are so awesome, and Down Syndrome, I have learned, is just a part of the amazing person you are. You've also taught this lesson to Dad (pretty quickly! you've always been his pride and joy), Nagyi, Grammy, Papa, your Godparents, our friends and colleagues, your friends at all of the schools you've attended...and I think your inclusion and presence in our world will help people think a little bit differently.
So on a day when "difference" isn't what most people are celebrating- when we have to hear a pastor give a sermon about "God's chosen" president- I celebrate the fact that God chose you to be my daughter, to teach me to let go of my need to control everything and see where life will take me.
But since it is inauguration day, here is you watching Obama's 2nd.
