47 Reasons to Love
On August 10th 2005, my sixth little brother was born. August 11th 2005, my family was told he had Down syndrome. At the age of twelve I had no idea what this meant. Due to this, I assumed he would never be able to talk, walk, or laugh. When I went to the hospital I was nervous and I didn’t know what to expect when I would see Samuel, my brother for the first time.
I was surprised that when the nurse placed him in my arms, he looked just like my other five younger brothers before him. Sure, his cheeks were a little more round, there was a large crease in his hand, and he had to have some oxygen to help him breathe. Just solely looking on the outside, he was so small, sweet, and innocent. Just like my other brothers before him. A few days later when Sam was getting ready to leave the hospital the doctors told my brothers and I two things I’ll always remember. One, you will have to teach Sam some things in life that have come naturally to you.Two, you will love Sam so much, be careful not to spoil him.
I was a bit confused because I thought, of course i’ll teach him and love him. Little did I know just what this would entail.
As time moved on and Sam grew bigger, my brothers and I quickly learned what the doctors meant about how much we would love Sam. In fact we loved our little brother so much so that we would argue who got to play with him or hold him next. Even to this day we still compete for Sam’s attention. We constantly just want to be around his joy, jokes, and his very unique Sam personality.
When it came to teaching Sam the things that came easier to us we were in for another surprise. While teaching him how to chew his food or how to brush his teeth did take longer than the typical developing child. In a way he was actually teaching us.
Sam has taught us to be there for one another. This past summer my younger brother Sean had to have his wisdom teeth removed. While Sean was recovering his mouth was sore and he was in a great deal of pain. Sam recognized this and refused to leave Sean’s side. He would even hold Sean’s hand if he had to walk around the house. Sam would rub his back and constantly ask him, “you okay, bro?”. Sam even tried to sleep in Sean’s room to give him comfort.
Sam has taught us to love in the small ways. For example, when our dad is getting home late from work, Sam refuses to go to bed until he is home. He’ll stay up on the couch to make sure dad walks through the door safe, before he can go to sleep peacefully. At times when our mom is having a bad day Sam so sweetly tells her that she is pretty and then gives her the biggest hug.
Sam has taught us to find joy in the little things. Like when someone from home could literally be gone for an hour to the store. Then when they walk back through the door Sam jumps into their arms like it has been years since seeing them. Even when blowing out his birthday candles it brings him so much joy, it as if he just won a gold medal.
Sam has taught us not to take ourselves so seriously. Like how he has created a favorite family past time of turning on loud music to get everyone to dance like a goofball while we do the dishes as a family. Or when he has tackled me into the lake when I didn’t want to get my hair wet.
People with Down syndrome do not suffer from it, they simply have an extra chromosome. The extra chromosome that exudes their love and compassion for other people.
I know this isn’t just Sam who teaches people these things, but all people with Down syndrome. Anyone who knows, or is fortunate enough to have a downs child is an extremely blessed person. People with Down syndrome do not suffer from it, they simply have an extra chromosome. The extra chromosome that exudes their love and compassion for other people. They may not be “typically developed” but they are very much developed. As for my family and I we believe that people who have Down syndrome are more developed with the most important things in life more than the “typically developed” person.
I challenge you to look at your own life and see where you could show some extra patience or love with the people around you. Or even how to find joy in the small mundane things. I know I will look towards my little brother for help on this.
