Dear Tanner,

My son, the joy of my life. A person that has taught me more about love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

Tanner was born on February 21st, 2005. I will not go into much detail about the story, but his diagnosis was difficult at the time – I basically knew nothing about DS, and what I did know terrified me. After the initial shock I determined in my heart that I would do everything in my power to give Tanner the best life. I wanted him to be a great dressed kid, have a cool haircut, have involvement in church, and know he was greatly loved and adored. It took me some time to carve out our new path as my others plans had fell through for the life I anticipated for our new arrival, but after a few months of navigating and going through the process of some grief I was experiencing my world was opened up to the greatest special gift from God, and I realized this gift He had given me was something beyond anything I had imagined. Everywhere I went I wanted to show him off – I wanted people to know he had Down Syndrome, and I wanted them to see and experience the joy I was experiencing. As the years have came and went I’ve watched him deal with his own grief, health issues, lots of long nights of sickness and pain, but he never complains about the hard times in his life – he always comes out of them on the other side with joy and a smile.

Tanner, today is World Down Syndrome Day, and I am so blessed to be your mother and to be able to celebrate the wonderful young man you have grown up to be. I cannot imagine my life without you. I’m so proud and thankful for how much you love Jesus – your pure worship convicts me over and over again. Your desire to see the lost saved and your consistency in praying for them makes me want to pray harder and not be quick to give up. I love to walk into your room and see and hear you praying. My greatest desire for you when you were little was that you would grow up to love Jesus and be used by Him, and I have seen Him use you over and over again. Tanner I love you more than you know – keep being the great young man that you are. I’m so proud to be your mom!

Love, Mom