Two Words

Two Words

By Cheryl Ward

Your birth brought us closer
As death lingered near
Your strength as you struggled
Gave flight to our fear

Down Syndrome they whispered
Days after your birth
Two words that portrayed
A false image of your worth

Those words did not tell us
Of the love you would bring
Or the power your smile has
To make our hearts sing

Down Syndrome didn’t tell us
What kind of child you would be
Filled with amazing surprises
Shared with your father and me

Hard work, determination,
Teaching and learning, it’s true
Down Syndrome means much of this
For each of us, not just you

Wonder child, spirited child
You’ve grown and you’ve thrived
Your every achievement
Still fills us with pride

No matter the voice used
Two words can’t describe
The fullness you’ve added
To so many lives

Down Syndrome, those frightening words
Whispered so long ago
Never did they prepare me
For the person I now know.