Today is Matthew’s 40th birthday. I wonder if you are thinking about him. Do you try to picture who he has become, what his laugh sounds like, what TV shows he watches.....
He is a delight, Theresa, and we love him so much. He is the family clown, rarely in a bad mood, loves everyone, and is liberal with hugs. As with many Down Syndrome folks, he is still childlike, speech is minimal, and he loves his routine. He still loves Barney the purple dinosaur, and has lots of stuffed Barneys and all the videos. He likes basketball and golf on TV, he likes music, and sings (sort of) Badboys and Barbara Ann, as well as other tunes we have yet to identify.
He will dress himself in multiple layers, some backwards, and always needs to have warm clothes on. No sense of style at all! He walks for exercise with his brothers and sisters. He tends to put on weight if he isn’t walking every day. Also, typical for Downs kids.
There has been so much I have wanted to share with you over the last forty years. I looked for you on social media and in the Seattle phone book. I think about you often with love and thanks for your sacrifice of this child. I am so grateful to be his Mom, and grateful to you for allowing us to adopt him.
Thank you.
