Siblings

People forget sometimes about your other kids when you have one that stands out so much. Most of the time these are the people that don't know how to treat the one with a disability, so they just find it easier not to talk to anyone close to them. When Jordan was younger being different was "Cute". If he put all the rocks he could find in his backpack and wore it all day and all night, it was cute. If he climbed up the walls like a spider we heard "Oh, he is so strong". If he did cartwheels during a soccer game people said "It doesn't matter, he is enjoying himself". As the parent we smile and roll our eyes, make a funny comment back and love him just as he is. As an older sister who knows that he is different and that he is special and makes up his own world, she is protective. Our daughter was old enough to know the world wasn't kind to kids that were not "normal". She watched as kids laughed and teased him, and she became his protector on the playground. She cried as he got older and lashed out at her. She hid when he got angry, and retreated into her own world. Oh how I longed for the "normal" relationship of bantering, sharing stories of sports and friendships, of "normal" things. But what I received was a far greater gift than I could have imagined. A daughter who loves people, who sees beyond their faults to their hearts. A young lady running toward something bigger than herself, toward God and the love He has for families who are struggling. One who has a deeper understanding of people, their motives, their hearts, their dreams and listens to them for hours. She watched her brother be hurt by his peers, his family, and schools. She got mad for him but didn't know where to direct her pain. She listened as her parents tried so hard to figure it out. She tried twice as hard it seemed. I love this girl, now a young woman who with a song in her heart sought understanding from church, from her mentor, and finally from Jesus.

He is the lover of our souls, and oh how Jesus loves my daughter more than I can ever imagine! I am so glad! I know now that God kept an Angel beside her every step of the way. He protected her heart, and her mind. Todd and I prayed all the time for our kids. We made it a point to have "date nights" with all of them. My favorite thing for years was watching my girl play soccer. She loved soccer, she loved her friends, her coaches and the time on the road. I loved watching her play, and we became close during those years. When we moved to MT, we became farther apart as we watched Jordan fall apart. Part of me has so many regrets. How could I have kept her closer? Could I have spent more time with her? Should we have gotten respite? Why didn't we seek out more-or any- support groups? I know now, God kept her close. So close. I am so thankful! Now, when she calls me she is filled with joy! She is growing confident in who she is, in who God created her to be, and has a huge part to play in His church on earth! She has so many friends, and is reaching beyond herself to make a difference in the lives of others. She is in no way a normal college student!

Now I am content with my abnormal kids! They are perfect just the way they are. We are not a perfect family. Far from it! But we love each other so much. We love to read stories, especially ones written by that abnormal college student in her funny voices. We love to make dinners who's roots originated in far away places! We love to play games-board games, and watch funny You-tube videos. We loved our traditions. Who cares if we are "Normal". Not me. Nope not one bit.