Lovely

We spent a lovely weekend with lovely people, doing lovely things.  My friend Randa Kay and her girls, Braska and Kinlee spent Thursday thru Sunday with us.   They watched Jade run in her track meet on Thursday. Unfortunately, it was ridiculously windy,  but we cheered Jade on anyway.

On Friday RK helped me with some computer things I was wanting to accomplish.  The kids got out of school early that day so we all spent the afternoon together.  We took the little girls to see Laynee's beloved "heehee's"  but they didn't think they were quite as neat as she did.  Jade had fun on the trampoline with them.

 We went to visit Laynee at the cemetary and for some reason Braska cried hard the whole time we were there.  This was very interesting as we hardly saw her cry any other time.  The kids all babysat for the girls while RK and I enjoyed dinner out. 

There is something healing about being around Braska.  She has Down Sydrome too and she reminds us of the beautiful simplisity of those who share the common bond of an extra 21st chromosome.   She is so like Laynee in many things.   Like Laynee, she shares her love to all.  When she walks across the kitchen floor, her steps sound just like Laynee only quite a bit slower.   She is happy and content and requires little to keep her happy.  There is also healing in seeing how dramatically different she is from Laynee.  Laynee did everything fast while Braska moves slowly.  Laynee was a leader, Braska a follower.  Both their own unique individual, yet both possessing universal characteristics of Down Syndrome that make them so incredibly special. 

On Saturday Jamee got all dressed up for her prom and Braska wore the shiny dress that we sent her at Christmas time.  Both Jamee and Braska were very lovely.  Later that night we were all excited when Jamee was crowned prom queen.  I could just picture Laynee clapping her hands in excitement over how pretty her big sister was.  I wonder if she could see her from heaven?  I wonder if she knows that part of Jamee's loveliness comes from knowing Laynee?  I wonder if she knows how lovely she was when she walked on this earth?  I wonder if she knows how much we miss her?  I wonder if she knows that there will never, ever be another like Laynee Grace Holmes?