Wednesday, May 19, 2010

I Wish I Had Known


I Wish I Had Known
by Addie Daabous

I wish I had known that this would be an incredible journey, and that everything would turn out just fine.

I wish that I had known that my heart would heal one day, and that Robert’s love was the cure.

I wish I had known that Robert’s birth was not the end of the world.

I wish I’d known to listen more.

I wish I had known having Robert in my life would change the person I am.

I wish I had known that life would not be defined by misconceptions I had about Down syndrome, but that it would be as “normal” as normal gets … and that Robert would fill my life with love and joy beyond my expectations.

I wish someone would have told me that Robert was going to change my outlook on life and make me a better person.

I wish I had known that Robert was so abled.

I wish I had known that Robert would be so full of life.

I wish I had known that it is a privilege to be Robert’s aunt.

I wish I had known that the universe would unfold as it should.

I wish I had known that Robert would be just like you and me!

Maureen

4 comments:

Patti said...

I too am glad to have the opportunity of having Robert in my life. This young man never ceases to amaze me. He's always ready to take anything on and trusts God each and every day to bring new awesome opportunities into his life that can bless others. My eyes have been opened to see the love and the ability in those with intellectual disabilities and I have a special place in my heart for each and every one of them. Robert I just want to thank you personally for being the man that you are and for making such a difference in my life. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing as you travel around speaking to many and making a difference.

Love Patti

Maureen Lee said...

Thanks for your perspective on what Robert has brought to your life, Patti. Robert's aunt, Addie Daabous, speaks eloquently about Robert's impact on her life. This, of course, echoes what every family member of an intellectually disabled child feels: they "fill our lives with love and joy beyond our expectations".

Pierre said...

“I wish I had known” is pure poetry, written from the heart by someone who has been there/done that and, now, worries less. Evidently, the author ‘gets it’ and wants to share.

I find her poem offers much needed hope. It credibly informs the rest of us that however dire a future living with Down syndrome may appear to be at the outset, much of what is most feared may never come to pass.

Instead, to paraphrase the tagline of IDEAL-WAY, we must open our minds to see the “ability in disability”, and believe that every cloud has a silver lining.

Kudos to Addie Daabous, and to this wonderful blog for publishing uplifting and informative articles by first rate, knowledgeable writers.

Maureen Lee said...

Thanks, Pierre. Well said, as usual! :)

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