I was raised to achieve things.
I was a third-generation valedictorian of my high school class, like my mother before me and her mother before her. Both of my parents have master's degrees. Growing up, I was The Smart Kid, voted Most Likely to Succeed. I went to college, earned ...
After Penny was born, people kept telling me about the "amazing" things people with Down syndrome could do. A part of me liked hearing the stories–of men and women who started businesses, completed serious athletic feats, sang in choirs, played instruments, and so forth. A part ...
The tweets:
What one mother learned from having a child with #DownSyndrome @SippingLemonade ow.ly/ozxpj #Family #Parenting
"You Can't Have It All, but You Can Have Cake" @nytimes ow.ly/oIyR6 #Choices #Success #HighSchoolNeverEnds
What does #HavingItAll mean to you? http://ow.ly/oIzoM#Success#Approval ...
A friend recently asked for my recommendations for books that might offer spiritual formation and encouragement, for parents and children alike.
Here's what I had to say:
As for the kids, the book we have is called The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones. Very readable ...
"This is what it means to be included."
The mother's words jumped out at me from the radio. Included.
Two year old Tatum Bakker had never been able to swing on a playground swing set until they visited Brooklyn's Playground on their way through Pocatello, Idaho. It's a playground ...
Ten years ago today, I was with my mother-in-law as she died. I watched her fight. And I watched the life leave her body. Â Afterwards, the scent of lilies and lavender. A clear blue sky. A sense, if not of relief, then at least of finality. It took a long time for me to cry.
"Mom, everyone keeps using the word include, but I don't know what that word means."
I had just finished a gentle reprimand because William and his friend had refused to let another friend into their fort. "Remember, William? We always include our friends." ...
