Fresh fire to advocate

When I think back...

back to when I used to cuddle my newborn baby girl with the tiny ears...

and kiss that little nose with a flattened bridge....

and rub my finger across the single line in her palm...

everything in me wanted to fight for her. I pictured my self doing stuff like... well, what I'm about to share with you.

And now, somehow I get wrapped up in life. I repost pictures from IDSC on FB. I "advocate" in my little ways. But not like this story I'm about to share with you.

For a little background, I still keep up with some of the families whom I adopted "with". A handful of moms who ransomed children with DS out of Eastern European orphanages around the same time. I've said it before on my blog, but these women were an incredible encouragement to me at the time. And now its so fun to see how all of our kids are growing. Paula is one of those moms.

The following was taken, with permission, from her FB status. This is so encouraging to me. This is the kind of mom I want to be for my kids.

Follow-up report.... Grace and I presented to almost 800 middle school students today about Down syndrome, ending the use of the "R" word, and how we are more alike than different. After sharing our story, the whole student body spontaneously gave us a standing ovation. But even better--two students came up to Grace afterwards and asked her to sit with them at their lunch table--a dream come true for me.... I wept like a baby when I got in my car afterwards..... Thanks again, to those of you who helped by suggesting ideas and encouragement! Blessings, Paula

Wow. Thank you, Paula for being a voice. For your kids and mine. Your boldness gives me courage and fresh fire.