Molly's Little Inspirations....

Molly has been a true inspiration to me. From the moment she was born, I admired the way she seemed to be on the bright side of everything and touched every ones lives. She always smiles when she had every right to frown. Its just truly amazing that a baby can touch so many lives with the power of a grin and an extra chromosome.

I use to be a very pessimistic person and seem to always look at the glass half empty. I think investing in positive thought always seemed like a dreamers philosophy. That the realistic terms in life are usually negative. But seeing Molly the way she was at the hospital and after her heart surgery only kept me pushing to think on the brighter side. I just kept going if that little girl can under go a major surgery and still smile and having all odds against her yet she pushes herself to the limits everyday, why can't I? Ever since I have applied this in my life, I have found what my passion is. To be a voice for my daughter and help other people with special needs get the lives they deserve. And with some positive perspective and outreach I am volunteering at our local Down syndrome association, advocating by going to meetings that impact special needs, and spreading awareness by being open about answering questions on Molly's disability (but more importantly on how she is just the same.) All of this because of my daughter's diagnoses and a little positive change.

Molly hasn't just impacted me, but so many friends, family, and strangers. Different people inbox me on Facebook once every couple of weeks on how wonderful Molly is and how she has touched them in some way. Or how finding out she has Down Syndrome has made them want to do more with the special needs community. Here are a couple of my favorite stories...

-My friends son (who is about five) was playing with Molly and kept saying how she loved him because she kept staring at him, smiling, and laughing. He then asked us what Down syndrome was and why Molly had it. So we explained everything to him. He then looked at his mother and said, "Mom I wish more people had extra chromosomes, because then they would be cute and nice like Molly!"

-We were at Kohl's and a random shopper came up to me asking why Molly had oxygen on. When I told her the story she said "I think it was meant to be I met your daughter. I have been terrified about having surgery, but now meeting Molly and seeing she can do it, I can too."

- This is a Facebook message I got the other day "I so want to thank you and Molly for what you do and show the world that its OK to be who you are, you make me want and hope for more. I cant wait to see how everything turns out for you." I read this and teared up, what an amazing thing to wake up too. 

Sometimes I just look at my baby and wonder "does she realize how many lives she has touched in the fourteen months she has been on this earth?" But I think that is some of her charm. All she wants is everyone to smile when she smiles. That's it, she doesn't ask for anything more. I mean what a more simply perfect way to be with another person or even stranger? I just can not wait to see the other lessons that Molly teaches me and others. Everyone tells you how a child changes your life, but never did I think how true that statement was until now. My hope is that Molly keeps on inspiring me and others to be the best we can be. And that I can keep changing and growing in my life right along side hers....