Local Support (and a Hug From Santa)

This past Saturday was the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia's annual holiday party. The support system in this area is pretty massive--there are, I believe, upwards of 600 members (not all active participants, but they're generally still in this area) and including parents and siblings, there had to be about 300+ people at the party. One of the most wonderful things about these community gatherings is the chance to see so many BEAUTIFUL, chromosomally-enhanced faces. I remember my trepidation attending my first event (Actually, it was the holiday party when Samantha was 6 months old). Steve, Samantha and I sat pretty much by ourselves, just taking it all in. But I remember being somewhat comforted by what we saw, beautiful people interacting and enjoying themselves. We knew we'd be okay. I'm one of the DSANV's Parent to Parent volunteers, which means that I occasionally speak to new parents of babies with Ds, offering them an ear to bend, a reference source for questions, and a safe haven to voice their stories, their fears and their feelings. I love knowing that I may be able to make a difference to them, and it's so gratifying to see some of these families at the gatherings throughout the year, getting to meet them and their children face-to-face. I'm always so heartened by the sight of them looking relaxed and well-adjusted, talking to other parents and making new friends. This is how it all begins, and how the community is built and grows...and grows...and grows...

But back to Saturday's event, the thing I was looking forward to the most this year was for Samantha to get to see Santa. Every year she does extremely well sitting with Santa and having her photo taken, but this year she's far more aware of who Santa is, and we've been building up the idea of Christmas with her. I was a little bit worried that some latent shyness would kick in when she was confronted by the jolly man in red, but lo and behold, she ran up to him and gave him the biggest, most genuine hug (see photo above)! After having her picture taken, she was reluctant to leave him, and continued trying to go to him afterwards, even when he had another child on his lap. Christmas is not a religious holiday for us. It's about family and tradition, and that warm feeling you get from making other people happy. Samantha's at an age now where tradition will begin to be remembered, and I want to be sure to make those indelible, happy childhood memories for her. I think we're off to a good start.