The Military Mom

Angels among us..

This is about my angel boy Danny who truly was a shining star to anyone who had, had the honor of knowing him..Danny was born April 10th 1989 when I was 21 .For most of the pregnancy I had a feeling something wasn't quite right,couldn't put my finger on it and my Doctor said it was just 2nd time Mom jitter's.Danny wasn't due until May but he had different idea's and on the evening of April 9th my water had broken so I was admitted.After an uneventful labor my son made his entrance into the world and I immediately knew by the look on the Doctors face something was wrong.He was beautiful,healthy and had the unmistakable features of having Down Syndrome.After that the staff's treatment was a little subdued and I was asked if I was going to take him home.Well,why in the world would I not?This is my child  and he's perfect in my eyes.I made him a promise that day that I would always protect him and keep him safe and I did until a monster so much bigger than I came and took him one night when he was 12 days from his 20th birthday.I enrolled Danny in an EIP program when he was 3 months old.I cannot stress enough how important this type of program is.Danny was pretty much on target developmentally ,he walked at 14 months,potty trained by 3,but his speech never really developed past the level of an 18 month old.We never found a reason for it,he'd had problems with fluid in his ears but it wasn't significant enough to cause any major hearing loss and even after having tubes his speech just never took off but Danny had his own ways of communicating.Danny later went on to go to public school whose Special Education programs were inclusive,he was able to participate in some regular classrooms which I think is beneficial in the development of person's with special needs.He had many wonderful teachers over the years.Danny was enrolled in the HS Life Skills program at the time of his death.He was an 11th grader and due to Graduate the following year.I cannot praise his teachers enough for all they had done while he was a student.We were invited to their  Class of 2010 Graduation ceremonies where they held a moment of silence and I will forever hold in my heart that they did this for him.He had spent so many years in school he deserved to have that closure.His classmates have been constructing a Memorial Garden outside the school,they've worked really hard and I can't wait until it's completed.Danny was a truly remarkable young man and I say this not just because he was my son but because of the joy he brought to all those who ever met him.Ask me if I believe in Angels and I will tell you yes..one walked beside us for nearly 20 years♥...In memory of Danny 4/10/89-3/28/09

The 12 Gifts

The first gift is Strength. 

May you remember to call upon it whenever you need it. 

The second gift is Beauty. 

May your deeds reflect its depth. 

The third gift is Courage. 

My you speak and act with confidence and use courage to follow your own path. 

The fourth gift is Compassion. 

May you be gentle with yourself and others. May you forgive those who hurt

you and yourself when you make mistakes. 

The fifth gift is Hope. 

Through each passage and season, may you trust the goodness of life. 

The sixth gift is Joy. 

May it keep your heart open and filled with light. 

The seventh gift is Talent. 

May you discover your own special abilities and contribute them toward a 

better world. 

The eighth gift is Imagination. 

May it nourish your visions and dreams. 

The ninth gift is Reverence. 

May you appreciate the wonder that you are and the miracle of all creation. 

The tenth gift is Wisdom. 

Guiding your way, wisdom will lead you through knowledge to understanding . 

May you hear its soft voice. 

The eleventh gift is Love. 

It will grow each time you give it away. 

My son is leaving..

for Navy boot camp on Monday.It's been a long wait for him,he's been in the DEP program since July and I've had all these months to prepare for his leaving the nest.I am very proud of the choices he's made and the man he's become.It will be a sad parting of sorts,my family has always been close as it's always been just us against the world,but I will put on my "strong"face until after he's gone.Even when they're all grown-up there's still the need to be the calming influence as I know his  leaving will be equally as hard for him as for us.We lost my second eldest son,his older brother, 2 years ago come March.He would be so proud of his little brother.Danny  was a huge admirer of the Marine's ,he'd bring home pamphlet's and  spend days saluting everyone when the recruiter's would visit the high school.Danny had Down Syndrome so you can understand the bitter-sweetness.I know his proudest day will come in 9 weeks when he marches in for Graduation.We'll be there,wouldn't miss it for the world  and I am honored to be able to witness my "baby boy" taking these steps into man-hood as a member of the United States Navy.

Danny hands..

I did a full system deep scan of all photo's,video's on my system the other night.I found pictures I forgot were even taken.Lot's and Lot's of memories hidden in my old computer.I came across some pictures that were actually my boys playing with the Scanner on my then, brand new printer.I remember that day ,it was about 6 months before my son Danny passed away.They dared each other as if laser beams would shoot up from the scanner and render them blind .Danny ..brave and courageous.. went first.I'm so glad I found them..they are kind of eerie almost ghost-like but I can see the lines of his hands,on the scans of his face I can see his whiskers.I miss his gentle ways,his comedic nature and infectious laugh.He'll be gone 2 years this March,he'd be 22 this coming April.Someday my sweet boy we'll be together again♥