World Down Syndrome Day

Dear Mom,

You may be sitting in a hospital room wondering what’s to be celebrated today. I was once there, too.  Alone and scared, I was holding the daughter I had always wanted yet mourning her loss at the same time.  I had dreams for my baby girl, life would be full of possibilities and accomplishments and friendships. Instead, I struggled to comprehend the words that had been spoken, and yet somehow, deep down, I knew those words were true.

Today, my friend, I weep with you. That first night wrestling with this new diagnosis hurts like hell, but somehow, no matter how dark and cruel the world may feel, the dawn will break and a new morning with new mercies will emerge.

It’s been twelve years since I lived that first night. Twelve years since I sat alone in my hospital room, too terrified to say the words out loud or even research on my phone. I look back on that woman, and I wish I could whisper to her, “this baby is everything you never knew you always wanted”. Little did I know that single, extra chromosome that tried to steal the joy of the birth of my daughter is now so precious to me that we founded a company and created a jewelry collection to celebrate its beauty.

Tonight, my daughter will dance her socks off with her family and friends at a celebration party. I will dance, too, because I will be with my tribe tonight, truly celebrating World Down Syndrome Day.

All our love, Kennedy & Loren

P.S. As for those dreams for my baby girl, my daughter reveals to me every day just how small those dreams were.