Although it is tough to have a son like this, God gave me instant love and grace for this boy. He is an adult of 21 years today and I still have to wash him, brush his teeth, in fact do everything for him. He is sick today too, but I can still hear him laughing as I write this. It's LOVE that gives me the strength to carry on even when he ties me to the home and I have to miss out on a lot of things. Its God's Love and Grace and I want to thank and honor Him for it. The Bible says:
Truly I say to you, In as much as you have done to one of the least of my brethren, you have done it unto me.
Math.25:40 To know that I am really serving Jesus when I love and cherish my son has given my life an extra dimension.
I am very grateful that he gets picked up in the morning to go to a wonderful school where he is occupied and I am also happy that he gets brought home in the evenings. I need that little break. It has taught our other sons how to handle and cope with handicapped people with respect and love. It has added dimension to my DH's life who is used to solving problems - David is a problem he can't solve and it has humbled us.
So today I want to thank David for his influence in our lives in making us softer, richer and deeper in our hearts to have been gifted with his weakness and having to deal with it in everyday life.
Happy birthday to David! What an angel he is to you.. and what a beautiful graceful woman you are, Jacqueline. I always learn something from you.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear of emotional strife in your life.. I am also bearing a burden that I am not ready to talk about yet... day by day we shall get through these trials... there is a plan that neither of us have a hand in, right?
xo
Jacqueline your post today touched me. This was a beautiful birthday post for your son. Happy Birthday David. I hope that he feels better soon.
ReplyDeleteDear Jacqueline,
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing this story. Your testimony went deep into my heart. Thank you so much. Blessings to you! Happy birthday, David!
Jeremiah 29:11
"...For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future".
Happy Birthday David, and blessings to his wonderful mother!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet baby, Jacqueline. Thank you so much for sharing a little bit of your life with us today. I admire you even more, and I know that your David will continue to bring blessings your way. Happy Birthday to your boy and hugs to his Momma!
ReplyDeleteBy seeing this cute baby, you could fall in love immediately.
ReplyDeleteIt is your love, Gods love that carries you through.
Happy birthday!
Lieve Jaqueline,
ReplyDeleteGefeliciteerd met jullie mooie zoon David!
Wat toevallig zeg.. jouw zoon jarig, mijn zoon jarig. En vanavond zat ik op de bank naast mijn nichtje, dochter van mijn zus,van bijna 21, met down syndroom..en nu lees ik jouw post.
Het is heel ingrijpend, om een kindje met down syndroom te krijgen en op te voeden, maar het geeft je ook zoveel moois. Je schrijft het zo mooi, ik voel alleen maar liefde.
Ik hoop dat het verder goed met je gaat en wens je nog heel veel geluk met David en de rest van je gezin!
liefs,
Wilmi
Such a beautiful post, Jacqueline. It touched my heart. Having worked with Down Syndrome children throughout college, I know what a blessing they are. . .so full of innocence and joy. Give a Happy Birthday hug to David! Sending you hugs today too!
ReplyDeleteI was touched by your writing today....you are a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for...I admire you. Happy birthday to David and hope it is a beautiful day for you all.
ReplyDeleteJacqueline, all I can say is that you have experssed yourself so openly and honestly.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your young man!
Happy, Happy Birthday to your sweet David, Jacqueline!! You write with such passion and with your heart and soul, you are such a good mom! Big hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteI agree with all that has already been said and just had to add my thanks for your post. I've admired you for your gorgeous cards and being in a different country to serve the Lord but your attitude in this post is a beautiful example of servanthood to Him through your son. May the Lord bless you all abundantly.
ReplyDeleteWhat a remarkable woman you are, Jacqueline! You share your honest feelings, the highs and lows of your journey with the Lord and bless so many of us with your testimony of faith. Bless you, my dear sister in Christ, as you celebrate the birth of your beloved son David. May God continue to bless him and you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful smile David has. What a beautiful mom. Happy Birthday to your dear sweet son, and a loving hug for you. God Bless you Jacqueline.
ReplyDeletelavender & roses - Susanne
Jacqueline, you lovely post today has brought tears to my eyes.... the love you have for your son is so obvious. What a courageous Mother. A very happy birthday to your young man and God's Blessings to his wonderful mother.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a beautiful post today, and a happy birthday to your sweet son. I am sorry that my english isn´t very good, but you touched my heart.
ReplyDeleteDear Jacqueline. Sending belated Birthday Wishes to your son David.
ReplyDeleteLynne x
This is such a heart warming post, I never knew you had a son with special needs.. Wishing David a very happy birthday filled with love and happiness and surrounded with people who care:-) And thank you for sharing your life with us fellow blog friends today, so happy that you consider us close enough to celebrate this special day with you.
ReplyDeleteSpecial Blessings on your son's Birthday! Thanks for sharing your faith and heart with us. may God continue to strengthen you and bless you and hold David in the palm of His hand.
ReplyDeleteI took me a few days to cemment on this very personal post. It touched my heart and I felt the tears in my eyes. David has special needs and the way you described Down syndrome and what it means to you and your family....it's a bit difficult to put this on paper but I hope you know what I mean when I tell you that I'm impressed. David is lucky to be born in a family as wonderful and lovely as yours. But on the other hand I realise that you have to deal with a lot of difficulties and that there is a lot to worry about. Thank you for letting us have a peek in your thoughts and daily life. It's a privilege getting to know you a bit better.
ReplyDeleteX
Oh my dear Jacqueline, all my love goes across the oceans to your beautiful son David on his 21st Birthday, and even more love comes pouring your way for the wonderful woman that you are! I adore and admire you even more for letting us in to this part of your life! You expressed your thoughts and feelings with such depth, it has touched me and brought me to tears as I sit here, in my very simple undemanding life! Today, you have taught me more about what true love and motherhood is all about! Very warm hugs to you and your wonderful family!
ReplyDeleteHi Jacqueline, I have just read your post and I am touched by your love and devotion for your son. I know how hard it is to cope with a child with special needs, as my cousin has a daughter who needs constant care she is 22 now.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful baby photgraph too, so full of fun and laughter. Happy Birthday David and hugs to you.
Sallyx
Hi Jacqueline and René,Thank you so much for these wonderful words. They make me realize again that making the book " de Upside van Down' was a good thing to do. For me, not having a child with DS or a disability, it was sometimes difficult to say that having a child with ds gives you lots of love and learns you so much because I am not an " expert" . I truely believe that God used me (in a good way!!) to make this book using my gift for photography. Well I hope you enjoy the book, it is also available in English called " Down's Upside" . all my best Eva
ReplyDeleteDear Jacqueline! At first Happy B'Day to David and I hope, he feels better very very soon! I'm expecting now and David is the name on my top 3 list! I really admire you for what you doing! YOu are an amazing woman!
ReplyDeleteLooking at your blog is a highlight of the day for me-Thanks a lot!!!
Jacqueline, God knew what He was doing when He gave you to David. Some people can only focus on how the needs of special children TAKE so much out of them, so it was lovely hearing you talk about all that your son's needs have GIVEN you and the rest of the family. Happy anniversary on your beautiful son's birth! Happy Birthday, David!
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