Toss the lists

You've seen the new trend, I know you have.  Lists.  Lists of everything.  25 things to eat before you die.  15 things to buy a grandma.  5 funniest quotes of all time.  And so forth.  Sometimes these are hilarious, sometimes annoying.  Sometimes a little troubling.

When I first started seeing the special needs lists, I was like "Yeah!  You tell 'em!"

But then...it got overwhelming.  I was seeing new lists almost daily.  My friends sent them to me, family tagged me.  And I started to think, what if my friends and family are reading all of these and trying desperately to remember them?  What if they're tiptoeing on eggshells trying not to break a rule or hurt my feelings?

I think the lists are good, in general.  If it makes a few people more aware, or changes a couple of minds about our kids, then that's a great thing.  But all of my friends and family are well-meaning people who support us.  What do they think of all of these lists?  What would I think if I were in their shoes?

Oh poo.  That's what I'd think.  I'd think people shouldn't be so sensitive.  I'd think that as long as I treated their kid the same as all the other kids, then saying a phrase the wrong way shouldn't be a big deal.

And so, I'm letting you off the hook, officially.  I don't care if you call Cade a Down syndrome baby or if you tell me that "they're always so sweet."  All my kids are sweet.  And frankly, sometimes Down syndrome baby is a lot faster to say than the correct baby with Down syndrome.  As long as you're not an insensitive jerk, then I'm cool. 

I just have one request.  Can you remember one thing?

Love him.  

That's it.  Just love him.  Love our kid.  Love us.  Love us by loving our son. 

No babies were harmed in the making of this video.  ;)