Mom Moments

Maddie/Madeline/DeeDee is my oldest child.  She’s ten and a half years old.  She is very much the light of my life.

Maddie has a rare genetic disorder called Angelman Syndrome.   {Angelman Syndrome in a nutshell: unable to speak, epilepsy, sleep disorder, sensory dysfunction, fine and gross motor delays, feeding issues, and (this is the best) excessive happiness.}  That fact has changed my life more than I can explain in a few short sentences.  That’s a blog entry unto itself.

Maddie is full of personality.  She is very expressive with her facial expressions, so consequently I spend a lot of time staring at her face, and gosh darn it she is one beautiful girl!  (I’m sure I’m not biased at all in that statement!)  She is a very happy girl and can find joy in the simplest things in life.

Maddie’s loves are food, music, dancing, and people.  She’s very social and has a unique sense of when someone needs her.  Several times she has decided to hug someone in the checkout line, and I of course jump on her to not talk to strangers, apologize on her behalf, and tell her to leave that person alone.  And the stranger says “It’s OK, I really needed that.”  Sometimes they even cry!  I never know what people are feeling, so to me this is an incredible skill to have.  She’s very observant of subtleties in body language and expressions.

I’m lucky to have her.  I wouldn’t be the mom I am now without her.  Don’t get me wrong, its not all lollipops and sugarplums over here, but I know I would have been the kind of mom who was seriously concerned that her daughter’s dance recital costume had some uneven sequins.  Maddie gives me perspective.

Treasure each day and be thankful for what you have.  And be happy.