Be Kind to Yourself

Dear Mom,

The Journey...

I’m humbled to be in the presence of extraordinary moms like YOU! We are mothers that share a journey that many will not experience. A journey that fills our hearts more than we thought possible.

A Love Story...

Motherhood may be the greatest love story ever told. Some love stories are instant connections and others take some time to cultivate. Our stories are unique just like our children. We may not be experts in all things Down Syndrome, but we are experts in loving our children. And in many ways that’s what keeps this love story one that many will want to know more about!

A heart of gratitude...

I’m thankful for my daughter. Riley Rose is such a precious child. She fills our day with laughter and smiles. As mothers of extraordinary children, we face challenging days. Another illness, milestone missed, unkind word, or unexpected set back. Everyday I work on having a grateful heart! Some days, that comes easy & some days I have to work harder to master a heart of gratitude. But that’s all part of our journey.

A story without limits...

Lucky for our family, we’ve yet to meet a fortune-telling doctor, therapist, teacher, or ordinary stranger who can tell us how our daughter's life will unfold.  Like many parents, I spend my days dreaming with my daughter. At age four, she plays doctor, teacher, firefighter, and cowgirl. Riley Rose will determine her dreams and aspirations. My role as her mother is to facilitate the journey and make sure that opportunities are available for Riley’s future. I will be there when she confronts failure and when she has a big win. Anything is possible!

Dear Mom, remember to be kind to yourself when navigating motherhood. Know that your child will teach you more about yourself. Your strength, your love, and your resilience, more than you could ever imagine. Your child is extraordinary and you Mom, are enough.

- Donna Billimek