Lexi Sweatpants
Latest posts by Lexi Sweatpants (see all)
- What Not To Say to a Parent of an Autistic Child - May 12, 2013
- I’m Jealous Of You - March 14, 2013
- Meant To Be - February 23, 2013
I watch Abby as she sleeps. She’s so pretty. Her big, almond shaped eyes that can’t quite decide if they want to be blue or brown. Her tiny hands and chubby feet. All laid in a quiet ball in my arm. Her breathing is labored, as it usually is when she has a cold, but her body is still.
I’m met with the simple reassurance that this was meant to be.
Abby’s extra chromosome is not a mistake. It’s not an abnormality. She has Down syndrome. She was made that way.
Casey comes in. It’s been a rough night for all of us. He wiggles his way into my other arm and nuzzles his head into my shoulder. He can’t keep his legs still and his movement wakes up Abby. She opens her eyes with a crusty look on her face, sees who she’s with and her angst explodes into joy. She wriggles out of my arm and climbs over me and pounces on Casey. He laughs and pretends to be put off. He speaks in lines chosen from various TV shows and movies. “She’s just a baby, she doesn’t do much…” he says as he squeezes her and puts her on the ground to resume our snuggle.
I laugh. This was meant to be.
Casey’s autism is not a mistake. It’s not an abormality. He has autism. He was made that way.
My children were born this way. I have come to accept that. Acceptance does not mean that I do not wish my kids had life just a little bit easier. It doesn’t mean that I’m okay with Abby getting sick as much as she does or that I’m okay with watching Casey as he struggles to calm a body that will not be calmed. It does not mean that I don’t work tirelessly to get them the best services to help them on their way. It means that I love my kids for who they are. For who they were born to be. I want the world to see my kids as Abby and as Casey. Not just as their respective diagnoses. I want people to see them not less and even not more because of the Down syndrome and autism, but as equals.
Just different.
And being different is so good. It’s what gives color, depth and richness to this life. I’m grateful for the things that make me different. I’m grateful for the people that I have met that are so much different than me- because they teach me. Everyone has their own beauty, their own worth and their own need for acceptance for who they are.
We were not meant to all be the same. We were meant to be different. You were meant to be the person you are. You were born with certain dispositions, a certain way of looking at the world and life has given you the experience to make yourself better. Don’t conform.
You were meant to be, too.
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
That picture of her two children is just too precious.
Always beautiful thoughts from Lexi… thank you, girlie.
Christina Allred recently posted..Shoe Shopping with Princess
Beautiful….. that’s all.
Kat recently posted..My two loves: internet and reading
The best post ever!!! My 5yr old is blind and autistic. That’s what my blog is about, my journey to acceptance. Different is okay. Different is beautiful and amazing!!! Great post!!! Thank you!
Wonderful. A beautiful post about beautiful children
Deborah / Mom2Michael recently posted..The Times They Are A’Changing
Beautiful post, Lexi, as is the photo of your kids.
Alison recently posted..Saying No
XXXXXX !
Beautiful! I was so moved by the heart-felt words! We are all different and have our own set of problems but we sometimes forget that.
Beautiful. That picture make me tear up in a good way.
This is such a beautiful post! Thank you so much for sharing. The picture of your kids together is absolutely touching and beautiful, beyond words.
Natasha recently posted..Day 23 – Lazy Day at Home
Beautiful!
Beautiful… absolutely beautiful and lovely, and the picture of your little ones is adorable!
Amy @mommetime recently posted..Love It Photo Contest Winner
Oh, my heart. What a beautiful post.
Stephanie recently posted..BFF Application Form
That is a lovely post that is almost out shined by a heartwrenchingly beautiful picture. Thanks for sharing.
Alexis recently posted..5 Things I Learned from Doing Sleep Consults
I absolutely love your post!!!
This is an excerpt from my book “Brynn’s Bizarre Behavior”.
Sometimes I’m sad
I was born this way,
different from others
like night is from day…
But I’m smart and I’m growing
and funny as can be.
I thank God each night
for making special me.
“Brynn’s Bizarre Behavior” has been selected as a finalist for “Favorite New Special-Needs Children’s Book 2013″ in the About.com Readers’ Choice Awards. Vote once a day until March 19th at:
http://specialchildren.about.com/b/2013/02/19/vote-for-favorite-new-special-needs-childrens-book-2.htm
So beautiful! We should all be lucky enough to be accepted & appreciated like this.
My daughter was diagnosed as being on the spectrum just a few days ago. I needed to read this now. Thanks so much.
My kids are both on the spectrum. They also speak in movie lines. I’m glad I do too!
Absolutely amazing. It is hard as moms to remember this. Especially when the world expects so much. Being enough is wonderful too! :)
Love this. A mother’s love is always simply true love.
I love this. As a fellow mother of 4 I know that there are joys and challenges to this role. Your children are blessed to have you, as you are blessed to have them :)
On a lighter note, I am secretly jealous that I did not think to add ‘sweatpants’ to my blogging name.
Beautiful! Your children are blessed with a special mommy who understands them.
Mercy recently posted..Life Lessons Can Be Found Anywhere
So incredibly beautiful. xoxo
tracy@sellabitmum recently posted..Why I Will Call Myself A Marathoner Again This Year
Amen. The simplicity of a mothers love always surmount to the day to day struggles. I love how you always keep your eye on the big picture. Even more? I love the love between your children. Beautiful.
Niksmom recently posted..In the Swim of Things
This is gorgeous Lex, so much love to you.
I could not love this post more. It is absolutely beautiful. Thank you Lexi.
Kristin recently posted..(Almost) Wordless Wednesday – How’s Your View?
Beautiful picture of the two of them!
xxxxx
Your children are so blessed to have you as their mommy.
Beautiful! You’re kids are precious :)
Your eloquent words beautifully express the depth of your love for your wonderful children. You inspire me to not just work to accept the challenges life presents, but to embrace them fully.
This post was beautifully written. Definitely puts motherhood into perspective as a reminder of how we were each chosen to be the mamas to our beautiful children. We have to live each day remembering that. Beautiful picture Lexi
Absolutely. Thank you for sharing! This is exactly what I needed to hear today… my 23 year old brother lives with my husband and I and is autistic, so things can get a little frustrating at times. It’s an excellent reminder for me that he’s exactly who he’s supposed to be…
LDiggitty recently posted..ThunderSnow 2013
LOVE YOU <3
jillsmo recently posted..The Dive Bar Welcomes: Anna DePlume
So well said. I wish more people saw the wonerful side of these children instead of “their diseases”.
Good Luck mom
Just as this post was meant to be read by as many people as possible. What a gift of perspective for anyone, parent or non-parent. Thank you.
Amanda recently posted..The Way It Is
Beautiful, and perfect! I understand completely what you’re saying. My daughter has a very rare form of dwarfism — we didn’t even have a diagnosis until she was 6 — and it’s been a struggle helping her learn to cope with a world that looks right over the top of her head (or, worse yet, pats her on the head like she’s a dog). She’s turned out perfectly, even if she’s not the tall, slim, willowy daughter I always expected to have. She’s her own person, and I wouldn’t have her any other way.
I really don’t think this post could be any more awesome than it is.
Kristen Mae at Abandoning Pretense recently posted..You May Call it Husband-Training if You Wish, But Don’t Call it That in Front of Your Husband
I love this post so much, I can’t even adequately express it. Thank you for sharing it, Lexi. It made my day, especially the last line, “You were meant to be, too.” It’s so easy for me to see why my kids are wonderful and perfect, but to see that I am meant to be, despite all my shortcomings, is so much harder!
Beautifully said and so true. Have you read the book Love, Anthony? It is a great book. I was at the library two weeks ago and as I was scanning the new books shelf I kept getting drawn back to this book. I never read the synopsis on books because they kinda ruin the surprise for me so I had no idea what it was about when I picked it up but I’m so glad I did. Make sure you have tissues on hand because you will cry. But give it a read, it is really good.
LOVE!
What a beautiful message, and one that really hit home, as some friends and I were just talking about this last night. Sometimes it’s so hard to accept ourselves as we are, but if we know that we are being the best person we can be, there’s not a whole lot else we can do about it. We are who we are. I always say, “I’ve tried to change. I’ve tried not to be so loud and goofy…but it’s just how God made me.” Thanks for the post. Lovely!!
Shay Trashay recently posted..Adoption Faux Pas
I love this! I have 2 out of 4 with autism, and I agree 100% :)
Really touching <3
The picture of your children is prescious!
Oh Lexi, thank you for sharing your beautiful story and children. Yes, they are very special and so are you. God, would not have blessed you with these beautiful children, if it weren’t for your special beauty.
Thank you again you are an inspiration to all.
Debbie
Debbie recently posted..The Shocking Truth About Violence in Today’s Society.
This is beautiful. I’m right there with you that is was meant to be. Everyone has a purpose, including your two beautiful children. They’ll touch people’s lives in a way that no one else can.
Yes.
I write about my struggle with bipolar a d mental illness stigma. You have hot the nail in the head.
And you’ve done it in an incredibly beautiful way.
Thank you for writing a post that resonates.
We are meant to be this way.
We’re here because we’re meant to be.
I wish you knew how incredibly important your message is today
Beautiful…
Beautiful! I love this. Meant to be, indeed.
Mama D recently posted..Does Anyone Else Use Dog Commands On Their Children?!?
WHY is it so hard for us to sometimes accept our differences? Difference is what makes the world interesting. I know I wouldn’t want to live in a world full of other people just like me (well, I’m not the best example because I’m fabulous. But! It did take me a long time to accept that. :o) )
This post is gorgeous as are your children and your outlook and what I suspect will be their lives.
Arnebya recently posted..And Then I Auditioned for LTYM DC While I Had Alcohol Poisoning
For a long time only close family and friends knew the extent of my son’s birth traumas. He was born at 27 weeks. at 14 mos its hard to hide Cerebral Palsy so I decided to stop hiding and embrace it and write about it to inspire others – but my fear was always – what will happen if people know – they won’t see him as himself but as Cerebral Palsy or the kid with the brain bleed and there would always be pity in their eyes for our hard life.. and I guess its true. It will happen. There will be those who look at the diagnosis and stop – and there will be others that look further, into his heart. And there will be those who hear his story and are inspired to fight another day. And I think I finally beat the fear.
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