AND

I live in the AND.The space in between. The place where two very different things exist at the same time.

I have a little boy with Down syndrome who joyfully said thank you for every single Christmas present as if it was the most exciting, best thing he’d ever received, AND intentionally ground his muffins into the carpet.

I have a little boy with Down syndrome who daily takes my face in his hands and says, “I love you, Mommy. I so glad I your son,” AND intentionally pees on me while laughing hysterically during diapers changes and potty training.

I have a little boy with Down syndrome who perceives pain in others and without prompting gives them a hug to console them, AND picks up a ceramic mug of coffee and throws it across the room.

This AND space is holy, beautiful, messy, exhausting, awe inspiring, humbling, infuriating, and exhilarating. The most remarkable part of the AND is that God is right there with me, laughing, crying, celebrating and mourning.

AND, tomorrow I’ll get up and do it all over again.