Good Things Come in Threes

I see that I have neglected this blog for the month of October thus far, but with good reason. As of late, I have found a couple of things to keep me busy.

First, I volunteered my soul (unintentionally) to a political campaign for a tribal council candidate. His team squeezed every bit of free time out of me they could muster. I made phone calls on behalf of our hero candidate to announce upcoming meet and greets, remind fellow citizens to vote, question them about who they supported and ask if they would mind us putting his sign in their yard. On most calls I was met with the question: "When is the election?" And the statement: "I don't know much about any of the candidates yet." I'm thinking these people need to get with it, because we're only days away from election!

I admit, after a few days of seeing how hard hero candidate's team was going to push me I resisted a bit, but out of guilt my relenting weakened and I was back in the game in time for polling day, in which our hero candidate--lost. However, my name remains fresh in the minds of a few tribal citizens should they come across employment in which they might think: "I know the perfect candidate for this job!" That would be yours truly, by the way.

And while all this was going on, I found inspiration. The Buddy Walk was coming up, and I'd never participated in or even heard of the Buddy Walk until this year. I didn't know what to expect. I was going to get a few family members to walk with us and figured we would go easy and check it out our first year. Luck walked up behind me and smacked me in the (what sounds good to smack?) when a certain public relations employee of a certain tribe asked if we needed a sponsor for our Clara. Yes! yes! YES! Suddenly, we found ourselves in a competition to build a strong team and raise the most money, because you know, it's good for the Down Syndrome Association AND we could win prizes!

I found two more big sponsors before the event, and the support of more family and friends than I knew cared. It turns out a lot of people care, and a lot of people love. Clara is loved and I am in disbelief. And when a team of supporters gathered around me as I pushed my babies in their stroller, I felt my eyes fill with tears. This meant something. It was just a very special day and it reminded me that whatever obstacles we have to overcome in the future we will not be alone, and we have pictures to prove it. Fortunately, I was wearing sunglasses.

We didn't win the most money, and we didn't have the biggest team, but we had a very strong showing. Our team was able to present $4295 to the Association which is nothing to balk at. Either fortunately or unfortunately (for them or for me) I feel compelled to beat that number next year.

And while all that was going on, I was also asked if I was interested in serving on the board of our local Down Syndrome Association chapter. They presented it to me like, "I don't know if you're interested or not.." and I stopped the conversation right there and exclaimed, "I WOULD LOVE IT!"

October has been a good month. It was exactly a year ago in October when my doctor first dropped me a strong hint that Clara would be born with Down syndrome. I'll never forget the devastation I felt because it is such a juxtaposition to what the reality of the situation is--which is, I am so in love with this little girl. Label her what you want, she's just beautiful.