Ethan, Marisa, and I went apple picking with some friends this past Saturday. What a perfect day it was to be out and about. It would of been icing on the cake if my husband was able to join us; however, work is really hard to come by right now so we have to take advantage of it. Saturday was so hectic for me but everything seem to just fall into place! Drove Van to work since his truck is inoperable, again! Marisa slept in with Ethan until I returned home at around 10 o'clock. We were running a little late because we were waiting on Amanda and Ashley. They both decided that it was way too early to join us so we left.
The drive to Winchester was so beautiful despite the speed limit! Marisa and I joked about how we could run faster than the speed limits...yeah right, in my dreams! Marisa could probably run faster than 15 miles per hour but for me...it's way beyond my time! We drove through small towns that limited our speed to 35, 25, 15 , then 50. We also saw a whole bunch of bikers enjoying their drive too. My husband's dream is to own one of the Harley Davidson's but for now, it's only a dream. Marisa and I commented on how all bikers seems to know one another. Every time they passes one another, they would wave. So unlike us regular car drivers...if we wave at other drivers, bet that they would think that we gave them a horrible sign! What this world really need is more bikers or more Ethan!We finally arrived at our friend's home & thank goodness that we were first to arrived. I've tried to teach my children to always try to be early or on time...to be considerate of others. I told my children that it's not nice to have others wait for you especially when they were so generous to invite us in the first place. It's hard sometime because one can not predict any future events...like having to stop to get gas because daddy did not fill up the tank for mommy!
While waiting on the last group of folks to arrive, we just hung around and watched the children play. A little boy approached me and asked why Ethan was different. Now, I don't know if he had asked this question because his cousin is also named Ethan. Maybe he thought that my Ethan was different from his Ethan and that he was waiting on his Ethan. I think that he was way too young to know that Ethan has an extra chromosome. I don't think that this little boy would understand what Trisomy 21 or Down Syndrome is so I just said to him "of course Ethan is different because he is such a good boy & Ethan loves to play & share with others." I continued to say that Ethan is special to us because of his laughter & that his smiles seems to take all the bad stuff away...the little boy looked at me as he continued to run away to play. I pulled Ethan into my arms & held on him so tightly. Now Ethan had no idea why I was holding onto him so firmly but he reciprocated my advances with his warm hugs & gave up his famous giggles (see Ethan's giggles on YOUTUBE). I should have been more prepared or maybe I was just jumping the gun. Shame on me for thinking like an adult...but shame on me more to assume that this little question was just more than a child's curiosity. Oh to be so honest and so innocent ~ too bad that this world experiences have taught me to be so cautious! For all it could have been was that this little boy had no idea what I was saying nor did he imply anything that was not kosher. Yes, I was thinking like an adult rather than a child.
I guess Van and I are very different to other parents when it comes to raising our children. We are teaching & encouraging Marisa and Ethan to be different from others, to love one another, to know that they always have choices, to know that we are always on their side, to know that they are the world to us, to know that we love them so unconditionally, to not get consumed over what other people are saying, to have high expectation but also be realistic, to know that we believe in them, to have courage, to have strong morals, to have strong will, to have resolve, to be willing to fight for what they believe in, to know that we have their best interest at heart, to know that they always come first to us, to have high self esteem, to not conform to society's standards, to not give up and to always try their best, to speak their minds, to stand out, to be special, to be unique, to be a leader, to be a teacher to others, to set a good example, to be kind, to be that diamond in the rough, to be the best that they have the potential to be, to just BE who our Heavenly Father have intended them to be. Now just because Ethan has an extra chromosome, this genetic condition does not define who he is. Ethan is definitely more that the extra chromosome number 21! If you have the opportunity to meet my son, you will know that Ethan is the sunshine...The day that Ethan was born, he proved to us what strong will he has. He was determined to be our little boy and was such a fighter. Ethan was unable to regulate his temperature, had difficulties breathing on his own, was unable to drink milk, had holes in his heart, and had to be in the NICU but never once did he showed that he was suffering. He glazed into our eyes and held onto our fingers in order to reassure us that he was going to be just fine. We knew that Ethan was especially chosen to be with us. In Ethan's three precious years that he's made our lives so complete, Ethan has taught us compassion, unconditional love, pure innocence, whole hearted bliss. Ethan has reminded me to not take life for granted and to enjoy every single moments.
There were times where I felt like I was having an out of body experience when I watched my son in awe. Ethan is so smart, caring, giving, and my little angel on earth! He loves to laugh, he loves to dance, he loves to sing, he loves to be with his sister, he loves his daddy, he loves his mommy, he loves his sister, he loves his grandmothers, he loves his aunts, he loves his cousins, he loves the sky, he loves trees, he loves birds, he loves playgrounds, he loves his noodles, he loves for us to read to him, he loves to touch our hair, he loves to give us kisses, he loves to imitate, he loves to jump, he loves to run, he loves to watch Thai movies & music videos, he loves Thai music, he loves Marisa's music, he loves to take his shoes & socks off, he loves to take off his clothes, he loves to tease up by taunting us to run after him, he loves to climb, he loves to jump off our couches ~ belly flop on the floor, he loves to sleep, he loves to cuddle, he loves to hear praises, he loves to clap for anything that he has accomplished (putting his shoes away, putting his bottle away, putting his books away, getting daddy his shoes, giving kisses when we asked him, etc.), he loves to see what others are doing, he loves to be with others, he loves to say hi, he loves to say bye-bye, he loves to call for his daddy, he loves to call for his mom, he loves to call for his Sa Sa, he loves to talk on the phone, he loves to take pictures, he loves to love. If this is different, then yes, my son is different. My daughter said that she would go to the end of the world for Ethan and you know what? I know that Ethan would do the same for his sister and for everyone else with no hesitations and with a big smile on his face too!
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