Yesterday was World Downs Syndrome Day. Brian and I volunteered at the Houston Downs Syndrome Association's event to celebrate this special day. There was a talent show, tug-of-war, sack races, kite-flying (i have never flown a kite before, but it's sooo on my to-do list), a 'Fifty Butterfly Release', bubble blowing, and many other events for children with Downs Syndrome to have fun with their friends and family.
I can't help but get emotional whenever I see people with Downs Syndrome. My heart swells up with happiness, and I just want to hug them. For those of you who don't know - my younger brother has DS (more about him here), and he is back in California, and I miss him like crazy. He calls me every day when he gets home from school. He's going to be graduating from high school in June, but it seems like not long ago when I used to take him to playgrounds, and we'd play games like the ones at yesterday's event, but of course now he's too old for that. Now he's into concerts and football games. But watching all these children at the event this weekend reminded me of Symon. I miss that boy!
Aside from family and friends, what is something else that holds a special place in your heart?
23 comments:
I love your big heart. I love that you love God with your selflessness and your love of his people, especially some of the ones that get forgotten. I am encouraged by you and reminded to love more fully.
Lately God's kinda been pinching me to serve more. I'm looking for ways and I know I'll find it.
As for what makes my heart beat fast, yes, besides God and my husband, is God's workmanship. I love to see His creativity in nature and beauty. I just drove up the coast and was in so much love the whole way. Do you miss it?
Symon is one cool dude. I remember the first time I met him he went on and on about the Cheetah Girls.
Besides family, friends, and Coldplay, I think board games hold a special place in my heart. I'm interested in any game that brings out my competitive nature.
you're such a sweet person!!!
genuine friendship is something that means a lot to me.
i love that u found a fab way to celebrate the day! nothing beats that!
as for me, the things i hold dearest, are those precious reading moments!
this is so sweet! my cousin has DS and he's the sweetest boy ever. i love to see big hearted people :)
Hi there, big-heart girl! Well, apart from family and friends, my heart skips a beat whenever I get (forty)five minutes alone with a book or a West Wing episode and a giant cup of Earl Grey. And can I just add that your brother looks very cool?
I remember one Japanese woman who runs a house for kids with DS said that they might be different from the majority of people but they are respectively gifted a special talent from God and it's her delight to find one in each kid.
I'd love to look up the blue sky or the stars at night and take a deep breath. That makes my heart filled with happiness and gratitude.
Lindsey - I soooo miss Cali! But Houston has it's own beauty too. I felt the same when I left Australia, but then discovered that Cali was lovely also. Luckily for us, God has planted bits of beauty everywhere!
Eric - Cheetah Girls was so a few years ago, hehehe. Now he's all about Vanessa Hudgens. Oh and I know to be careful around you with boardgames. Your competitive nature is full on!
Cali Girl - yep, genuine friends are wonderful. I have been blessed with some awesome friendships that I treasure so much.
Dash and Anna - I am with you on the reading! I LOVE to read, and when I have those moments where I can sit down and read a good book - that's bliss!
Carlita - I agree, kids with DS are the sweetest!
Mekkan - That's lovely to hear about your friend's house for DS kids. What a great person she must be!
your brother looks so sweet. moments with my family means so much to me, too.
what an inspirational post. Lovely.
For myself...definitely sharing/creating memories with my family and close friends...priceless!
Thank you so much for visiting my site... I am fairly new to all of this, and love this crazy and wonderful connection to people from all over I would never have the chance to meet otherwise.
Thank you for featuring Symon. There is a young man that attended the the high school here for quite a few years. He was the water boy for the football team, high school office message delivery guy, and lots of other special things that he could do. He is a precious young man.
What do I love? His joy, and specialness, but also the way the students and faculty adored him, lovingly teased him and supported him. That sense of community and comraderie and taking care of each other. It's all about the love, and giving and taking it. Keep your eyes open for it, you never know where it's going to come from!
This post was really really touching, you've definitely inspired me.
What a sweet post. My cousin just had a baby with DS and she is the sweetest little thing. My family holds the biggest part of my heart, no question. My fabulous husband who I love more than I ever thought possible and our two amazing kids who just make my life complete.
sweeeeeeeeeeet!
You are just full of love and it shows through your blog! It's inspiring, really.
My heart is filled by my sweet, supportive husband, my two baby blessings, my friends and God. You're right; without them everything loses it's meaning.
Giving back has always touched my heart. From working with amazing children as a social worker to being a tutor with kids in need I smile bigger at the end of the day. This gives me a great idea for a post.
When you have a chance stop by and enter the Under the Sheets-Shhh link back contest :)
wow what a great post....your love for your brother shines through loud and clear..what a great relationship...
for you to give your time and heart to this is a wonderful gift!
you are a sweet good person!
m :)
You are too sweet for words. Thanks for sharing you huge heart. xo.
wow, Dionne, that's so wonderful that you volunteered there! And that made me so happy when I read that your bother calls you every day when he gets home from school-- that's about the sweetest thing I've ever heard. :)
a beautiful post.....doesn't giving feel great!
Dionne you are fabulous! Your effort to help and give to such a worthy cause makes you a very special person. I personally believe it's a person civic duty to find something they feel passionately about and then give time and whatever else they have to give. I serve on the board of the zionsvilleartsinitiative.org, serve as social co-chair of my HOA, and next month I begin raising money for local children with multiple sclerosis to go to summer camp. My dream someday is to be a full time volunteer for various projects. The thought of being able to do that makes my heart skip a beat.♥
you're simply the SWEETEST angel on earth!!! what a loving heart you truly are blessed with and to have one of GOD's truest miracle as your brother is quite amazing...thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful post...what is another thing that holds dear to my heart? my Sweet Miracle Angel Sinead (one of my triplets who went to heaven)+unconditional love...you have touched my soule and warmed my heart-thank you...xoxo jo ;)
I love this. I'm getting my masters in special education right now, and the parents and families are so very important in supporting even the high-functioning kidlets. It warms my soul that you are so involved, and that you have such a beautiful relationship with your brother.
Blue Skies,
Daisy
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