God's Gift to Me

When I held her in my arms for the first time, my entire world changed. This 4 pound 4 ounce little girl named Veronica changed me. Wrapping her in my arms was a blessing, Something that I'll never forget. My mom told us that she'd have down syndrome but, I could care less. Then there was Grandma Maria. We had to keep it a secret from her because, we knew that she would tell my mom to get an abortion. How could she say something that harsh to someone so innocent? As time went on I started to realize that people called children and adults with 21 chromosomes retards. I hear the ones around me say retarded and the only thing I can think of is someone calling my sister that. The day I held Veronica in my arms I made an oath to always protect her. How can I protect her when I live more than two hours away and, haven't lived with her longer than half a year? We have to pay hundreds and hundreds of dollars just to make sure that she'll be able to keep up with the typical age requirements. When she comes to visit she knows a new word in sign language. I can't understand so I know that others won't either. And the ones who don't have the patience I know they'll be rude, just as I was to my uncle Corey at first. The fear of her being told from someone that she won't ever be able to do something makes me fumid. I won't be able to do things with her like I'd want to, what I'd wished to do. My step-dads cousin only lasted to her late 20s so, do I now only have 18 more years with Veronica? Many babies with 21 chromosomes have holes in their hearts and, veronica was one of those babies. The doctor told us she would be fine. But, many families have been told that their child would be okay, only to find themselves struggling to pay hospital bills and watching their children depend on the machines that keep their heart beating. Will I have to be part of that? I wake up fearing every single day that something will go wrong. The first time I got arrested Veronica was one year old. When I was writing my statement the radio said "We need an ambulance at 257 Lakewood Dr. There's a one year old choking" I threw everything off the desk and the cop held me in his arms while I fell to the floor "What just happened!" He asked me. "That's my sister, save her, please, save her." I cried out. Jenna and Alyssa sat there quietly while I fell apart. Was this God trying to punish me? Basically killing the ones I love to show me how much I've hurt them? Did he want me to feel their pain? When the cop dropped me off I ran into the house and there she was smiling and laughing. She was okay. I walked over and picked her up and started crying I could never imagine my life without her and I never want to. When she comes and visits I have to hold the tears back. She'll never be a what they call a "normal" child, when people look at her they see 21 chromosomes but, all I see is my baby girl. When I tell people my baby sister has down syndrome they tell me "That must be hard". The only thing that's hard about having a sister with down syndrome is when people tell me "That must be hard". But one thing for sure is that I will NEVER love her any less and I will do anything and everything for her. She is God's gift to me.