Friday Thoughts from Family

Dear Sean,

These are some of the things I remember about you that we have done or are doing.

The day you were born your mother called me and asked me where I was at. I told her I was in Arkansas, visiting with Great Pa. She said "GREAT! I am in labor." I said, "You are not due for 21 more days!"

Two hours later, your dad called me and told me that you were here. We got in the truck and drove home after only being at Great Pa's house for one hour.

The first time I saw you was when you were about 18 hours old. You looked beautiful to me and you still do. Your little round face looked just like your Daddy. I stayed just a few days with you and your mother, then had to go home.



When you were 21 days old, I was in my car headed back to Goodland to spend a week with you and your mother. I called from my car to let your parents know that I was on my way. No one answered the phone, so I called your dad's office and was told that they had taken you to the hospital. By the time I got there they were getting ready to fly you to Denver's children's hospital. Your dad and I drove there and it took us 3 hours to get to Denver. In the car, your dad and I talked about you and what we thought was just going to be a check up on your heart. We were wrong!! I sat in the waiting room while your dad went in to see you and talk to the doctor. The doctor and your dad came back out in about 10 minutes and wanted me to come in with them.

The doctor said "your grandson has Down syndrome." I looked at you and said "we can handle this." I hugged your dad and your mom and told them it would be alright. They were worried that you wouldn't be able to play with your brother. I told them both that you would it would just take you a little longer to get strong and that everything will work out.

You and I have a very special bond. I play with you and make up songs with you. The song you like the most is: "My Nana, My Nana" and it should go "My Nana" again but you look at me and say "My Papa!" Then we pretend to fight and I point my finger at you and say "NO NO NO! It's Nana." You laugh and we do it again many more times.

The very first time you laughed out loud was when I was playing with you. You were about 6 or 7 months old. Your mom was talking to your dad on the phone and said "Mom that is the first time Sean laughed out loud." Then she asked me to have you do it again so your dad could hear you laugh, so I did. You made all of us happy.



You will always have a special place in my heart. I have nine grandchildren and love all of them each in their own way. You, my little stinker, really pull my heart strings.



I Love You,
Nana

Written by Sandra Leamons, Sean's maternal grandmother