She's so much more than that. She loves the color orange. She loves the letter "w". She speaks volumes without ever saying a word. She is happy almost all the time. She got new polka-dot bedding and dreamsicle sheets from her Grandma Karen this past week.She loved going to bed and sleeping in late before. She loves it even moreso now. The most challenging thing for her to do each day is to get out from under all the coziness and get up and ready for school and/or therapy.
You can just see the happiness on her face and in her eyes.
I have sometimes ached so much for all the things she may never get to do in her life. But the more I see her so happy and full of love over the simple things from day to day, the more I find myself thankful that she may never lead a 'normal' life.
I think about the fact that she may never have to fill out tax forms or find late fees on her credit card statements. I think she will be lucky to never worry about her weight. Or feel peer pressure to follow the crowd and find herself in situation she wished she wasn't in. I'm more and more grateful that she can express how she feels, yet she rarely gets upset or even cries.
The more I watch her grow and learn, the more it humbles me and yet makes me so proud to be her mom at the same time.
It's hard to even put into words how much her challenges have affected our day-to-day lives. But not a day goes by that I don't thank God for sparing her life and giving us the gift of Wyndham to enjoy everyday.
It's true. She's no ordinary girl. And I must admit, I like it that way. =)
I love you, Wyndham...you're an extraordinary girl!
29 comments:
Love this, Jody! She's so sweet!!!
You did a beautiful job of capturing her spirit :) What a neat way to learn more about her. You can see she exudes joy with those precious smiles. Thank you for letting us delight in all things "W!"
She's so precious!! She looks like she has sooooo much PERSONALITY and SPIRIT just from those pictures!! LOVE THEM! They put a HUGE smile on my face today :)
Love, Mere
She is adorable. She looks like she is alot of fun to be around.
I remember when I was a child my parents were friends with people who took care of foster children and usually these children were handicapped in some way....but they were my BEST friends, because they were always happy. They were so much fun to play with. I loved them. I still have such wonderful memories of their beautiful spirit.
You are certainly blessed to have this precious girl with you each day.
Lisa
She is extraordinary in every way, isn't she? She is just as blessed to have a family who appreciates her many gifts as you are to have her. I can't wait to see what the year 2009 holds for Miss Wyndham.
It appears that Wyndham makes you a better person. For that, you are Blessed.
I have a handicapped son. I can tell you from experience, because of him, I AM a better person. It gives you an unmatched perspective on life. I would have never had the experiences in my heart if were not for my son.
Happy Birthday Precious Wyndham!
Rita
Hi Jody,
I just found your blog tonight via Noah's Mommy's Blog :) You have a new reader :)
I am just now reading about your story.
-Shannon in Austin
Wyndham is a beauty, thank you for sharing her smile and what a blessing she is to those who share her life. Your post reminded me again about perspective and how it changes everything.She is so lucky to have a mom who has Christ perspective and sees her with so much love
Love your blog Jody, I came across it through Christine Middlecamp's blog and I am so glad that I did. You are such a remarkable family you have been through so much yet you just seem to get on and cope with whatever life throws at you. I am a mother of five healthy children and could never imagine what you have been through. You have such beautiful children and I look forward to reading you blog.
Alisonx
What an awesome post.
What a sweet way to honor your special girl! You can see the sheer joy in her smile! I too have a son with a learning disability and he is the most tolerant, accepting child I've ever seen. He makes me laugh when he looks at his "ordinary" siblings and asks..."hey mom, what's wrong with THEM?"
I am so happy that Wyndham has such wonderful parents. She is a blessed little girl. You have also so eloquently expressed how you are blessed to have this sweet girl in your life. I wish your family the best!
What a beautiful post. You have captured perfectly the things that most of would miss out on. She truly sparkles!
I love that bedding. So freakin' cute. And Wyndham is adorable as well. Her happiness just radiates.
Just beautiful. God bless you, Wyndham.
What a beautiful smile ")
She has amazing presence and gives amazing hugs....I was blessed to see her smiles and I am gonna find an orange polka dot W how ever long it takes!!!
xx
I've read your blog for a long time. In fact, we were pregnant together and delivered our boys within days of each other!
But girl, today your words knocked my socks off. A simple perspective twister really hit me today. No taxes, no peer pressure. Brilliant.
What a tribute to an extaordinary little girl that God has used to accomplish so much. A "lilly of the field".
May God continue to use her and bless her.
Nancy
There is not a better "thank you" from and grandchild than to see that wonderful smile. You are very welcome Wyndham!
Now I think that you need a dust ruffel and some curtains. I will have to give that some thought.
Stay happy.
Grandma Karen
That was precious Jody. Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us... :o)
ody
she might be no ordinary person but she is absolutely gorgeous and very talented..I love coming here and seeing her progress....
Seems to me she is an extraordinary girl living in a very ordinary world :) I love her just from your blog!!!
Thank you for sharing!
jennifer
I just wanted to say that my favorite letter is "W" too. It always has been...since I was smaller than I can remember! She must have good taste : )
Thanks for sharing so much about one of your many beautiful kiddos : )
What a beautiful description of your love for your daughter and how God can use her to encourage and bring joy to so many around her. Thanks for sharing this with us. :)
Karyn
Thank you for sharing Wyndham with us. I am struggling to enjoy my kids right now - so much whining and bickering - but thanks for the reminder how each child is given by God and is His.
She is just beautiful ~ inside and out. What a totally lovely post this is ~ so sweet.
love and hugs Tabitha XXX
Jody,
You have never met me. I am Fran's daughter and she sent me over to your blog...I have to tell you that it's taken me a couple of days to comment because I had to pick myself up out of the puddle I became when I read this entry. Our Genna is no ordinary girl either and you put into words so eloquently what I cannot. Thank you for sharing your girl with us. Thank you for your love of God. Thank you for the blessing you are in Wyndham's life.
Susan
I was sitting here crying reading your beautiful post. My brother is 17 and severely autistic and i've had the thoughts about him. I loved the pictures, just gorgeous.
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