Until it does

You don't think you'll have a child with a disability.
You don't think you'll be on the receiving end of charity.
You don't think those remote statistics will affect you
or that your child may need special education
or that the Special Olympics drop-off clothing container will hit home
or that you will be part of an online parent support group
or that you will be a family that is just a little bit different
or that the birth of your child will involve anything more than joy,
pure, uncontained, heartbursting joy.

Until it does. You do. You are.
Split second. That's how long it takes for life to change.

You don't think your heart is big and wide and deep enough.
You don't think you know anyone who has experienced this.
You don't think your dreams can be revised
or that your child will be fully and unconditionally accepted
or that people could be this kind and thoughtful
or that your marriage could get even closer
or that you will learn so much about what it means to live and love
or that what you thought was joy was just a glimpse of this new
pure, uncontained, heartbursting joy.

Until it does. You do. You are.
It takes longer than a split second, but you do change.
Perhaps for the better.


For a beautiful video that illustrates just how the love of a child can change you, check this out: