The Special Two

I was in the doctor's office the other week...a regular occurrence for me. I was sitting in the waiting room with approximately eight other people. There was a mother there with her two children. One of her son's had a form of MS or Downs Syndrome. Clearly, they were at the doctor for an appointment regarding his health. He was a new patient, so the mother was filling out a lot of paperwork and discussing her son's condition with the nurse. He other son was a ball of energy, and was wanting to be anywhere else than a doctor's office. The mother was trying her best to be take care of both of her son's needs. At one point I heard her younger son ask why they kept saying his brother was "special". He asked her why he wasn't "special" too. The mother kind of shrugged of his question because she was overwhelmed by paperwork and nurses questions.

I had been watching this situation and felt for the younger boy. I know it's difficult to sit still while all the attention is being put on his brother. I decided to go over to the woman and her sons. I asked them there names. Their mother said the boy with health issues was Patrick and the younger boy was Drew. I could see in the mother's eyes how stressed she was. I wanted to do something to ease her stress level. I asked Drew if he wanted to come over to the table and color with me. He looked at his mom. She gave him the ok, so we went over to color.

Shortly after getting to the coloring area, the nurse called my name to go back. I asked if a few other patients could go ahead of me, so I could stay with Drew while Patrick and his mother had their appointment. She said that was fine, so Drew and I continued to color. We decided to draw pictures for each other. He colored a horse for me. I made him a a cheerful sunshine picture. We were finishing up our art as Patrick and his mother came back into the waiting room. It was time for us to exchange pictures. I wrote "To my Special Friend" on his. He was so excited to see that I wrote that on his picture. He ran up to his mom and said, "Mommy, Mommy! I'm special too". Drew had a huge smile on his face and he ran back to me and gave me a big hug!

As the family was leaving the mother came over to me and put her hand on my forearm. She thanked me five or six times for helping with Drew while Patrick had his doctor's appointment. I told her it was no trouble, and that we had a lot of fun. She told me I was a beautiful soul as she brushed a tear from her eye. I told her it was my pleasure, and I gave the boys hugs as the family left the office.

I carry the picture Drew made for me in my purse everyday. It reminds me me that we are all special in our own ways. Embrace who you are and don't be afraid to show the "true" you at all times!