Even Princesses Can Have Down Syndrome

Today I mailed a onesie to Olivia's birthday buddy Aalyza.  This is significant because Aalyza like Olivia also has down syndrome and they were born on the same day.  Just happened by chance that Aalyza was born in a hospital where a friend of mine from high school works and she met Aalyza's momma.  Julie, my friend, also has 2 sons with down syndrome (one born to her and the other adopted but born into her heart), so she makes it a special point to introduce herself to new DS mommies. She took me under her wing as well.  They became facebook friends and I was so drawn to her and I didnt really know why (at that point didnt know her birthday) and added her mommie as a friend also. Which by the way mommies with children with down syndrome are the most accepting wonderful women that I have ever been blessed to meet. 
The significance of this onsie is that was given to me by a dear friend who got it from another little girl with down syndrome and when I receieved it I knew that once Olivia outgrew it, I would have to pass it on to the next little girl with down syndrome. Sadly Olivia was never going to wear the onesie because God had other plans for my sweet girl and she was born an angel baby.  At first I didnt want to pass on the onesie because it was Olivia's and it made a statement about how she was to us and so many other people.  Then I found out that Aalyza was born the same day as Olivia and I knew that she was the baby girl that was meant to wear it.  I kinda kept putting off saying anything to her mommie because I didnt want to upset her and I wasnt sure exactly how she would react. I mean she really didnt know me other than I was a mommie of a child with Down Syndrome that had died (or so I thought she knew but I was wrong).  I decided that it was time to rip that bandaid and send her a message asking her if she would even want it since it was coming from a mommie whose baby was an angel baby.  Her response threw me a tad because she was very excited and told me that she was going to make some and would send one to Olivia. That was when I realized she didnt know Olivia had died on the same day Aalyza was born. I felt so horrible because I knew I would have to explain and I knew it would break her heart and that was not what I wanted to do.  It did and I cried when I found out she cried (us emotional women) because I understood.  Her sweet girl had not been home from the hospital long and that could have been her.  Thank goodness it was not because now I get to see how she grows and thrives and it mends my broken heart a little more each time I see a picture of her.

I had made the decision to give it to her months ago, but just couldnt bring myself to put it in the mail.  I made excuse after excuse.  Oh I didnt have gas in my car (that was the worst) or I didnt have the $1.71 it would take to mail it  or I was tired and had stuff to do.  This morning I realized that I was holding onto it because I was scared.  Scared to give away anything that was Olivia's for fear that would mean that a part of her would be lost.  But how wrong I am.  When I see that sweet girl in that onesie I will know that my girl is her guardian angel watching over her everyday.  No part of Olivia will ever be lost.