Inclusion: Celebrating the Unity in Our Individuality

Inclusion has conceptually been important to me since I can remember. The older Chloe gets, however, and especially the more she recognizes her differences and feels sad when she is left out, the more passionate I am becoming about inclusion! When I heard this song awhile back, it struck that chord within me - how truly special we all are and how much those differences should be embraced and celebrated.... that's right I said embraced and celebrated, not just accommodated. I put together this little video of children of all different abilities, personalities, talents, and special sparks. I dare you to not smile big while you're watching it!

I am one in a billion
I am the only one that I can be
That is something beautiful
I see the world like nobody else can see
I am the someone that nobody else can be
I'm the original, so irreplaceable
No matter who I'll be and who I've been
I am perfect just the way I am

I am one in a billion
I am the only one that I can be
And that's something beautiful
And I am a light that's shining
And I'll sing the song that only I can sing
Yes, that is something beautiful
It's something beautiful
It's something wonderful

I'm only human just like anyone
But I'm the only me under the sun
Just like a snowflake, no two are the same
And there's unity in our individuality
I am perfect just being me

I am one in a billion
I am the only one that I can be
And that's something beautiful
And I am a light that's shining
And I'll sing the song that only I can sing
Yes, that is something beautiful
It's something beautiful
It's something wonderful

Everybody is somebody that nobody else can be
Everybody is somebody that nobody else can be
Everybody is somebody, that's who I am
Everybody is somebody that nobody else can be
Everybody is somebody that nobody else can be
Everybody is somebody, that's who I am

I am one in a billion
I am the only one that I can be
And that's something beautiful

I am one in a billion
I am the only one that I can be
And that's something beautiful
And I am a light that's shining
And I'll sing the song that only I can sing
Yes, that is something beautiful
It's something beautiful
It's something wonderful

That's something beautiful

Waves

Grieving seems to come in waves. Sometimes we brace our selves and face it head on.

Other times we see it coming and try to run away.

Sometimes it gently laps at our feet letting us know it's still there.

And other times it washes over us completely.

We're learning to take it one wave at a time. 

Sometimes the ocean feels too deep and the waves too overwhelming.

However, it is usually after the biggest waves recede that treasures are revealed.

so we gather them up~

 

and tuck them in our hearts to help strengthen us for the next one. We know that even in those moments when we feel like we drowning, if we remember to look look up, the Savior will buoy us up. He will not leave us comfortless.

He reminds us those waves are filled with love.

The waves don't need to crush us, they can fill our hearts to overflowing-

Because when you love someone deeply you miss them deeply.

And that's not something to be afraid of.

 





Skidamarink

Chloe's absolute favorite iPad app lately is...

What can I say? She learned to love music from her mama!

Her favorite stations are:

Toddler Radio

Nursery Rhyme Medley

The Countdown Kids

Kidz Bop Kids (Children's)

Disney (Children's)

Sometimes we listen to the solo piano station when I'm trying to calm her down.

Through this constant music-playing, we have found Chloe's new favorite song!...

Salt Lake City Rain

I wanted to share this song for anyone who has suffered the loss of a child, or faces the reality of terminal illness. This song was written about a special little boy named Gavin. You can find more about his story here.




Song & Lyrics by Ryan Tanner

Love of my heart, why must we part?
I said a prayer on a heavenly start
Give me this day shoulders of strength
To carry the burden of time taken away

I woke last night to a voice in the hall
I heard you calling my name
I rushed to meet you, found nothing at all
All I could hear was the Salt Lake City rain

Love of my heart, where do I start
To patch up the pieces of the old-fashioned heart?
When will it turn, what lessons could we learn?
I'll be counting the days 'til the sun will return

I woke last night to a voice in the hall
Thought I heard you calling my name
I rushed to meet you, found nothing at all
All that I heard was the Salt Lake City rain

The Gift of a Mother's Love

I don't know which is greater -- the gift of having a mother or the gift of being a mother....

A Mother's Love - Mark Masri lyrics




Thank you for watching over me
All of the sleepless nights you lay awake
Thank you for knowing when to hold me close and when to let me go
Thank you for every stepping stone
And for the path that always leads me home
I thank you for the time you took
To see the heart inside of me

You gave me the roots to start this life
And then you gave me wings to fly
And I learned to dream
Because you believed in me



There’s no power like it on this earth
No treasure equal to its worth
The gift of a mother’s love

Thank you for every sunlit day
That fill the corners of my memory
Thank you for every selfless unsung deed
I know you did for me
Thank you for giving me the choice
To search my soul till I could find my voice
And I thank you for teaching me
To be strong enough to bend

You gave me the roots to start this life
And then you gave me wings to fly
And I learned to dream
Because you believed in me
There’s no power like it on this earth
No treasure equal to its worth
The gift of a mothers love
I thank God for a mother’s love

Hard Life

Stop starin' at me
Leave the sad looks at home
Everybody feels bad,
And you don't understand,
It's not like I'm alone

'Cause everyone has battles to fight
And I don't need your sympathy tonight

Yeah, it's a hard life
But I'm okay
If I didn't have this, I wouldn't be who I am today
And I have lots of friends
Oh, and I have love
And yeah, I have a hard life but in some ways everybody does

There's a lot I can't do
But don't be judgin me
I'm in a body I hate
But I have my faith, more then what you see

So what if I can't kick a soccer ball into a goal?
I feel like I can lift 500 pounds with my soul



Yeah, it's a hard life
Oh, but I'm okay
If I didn't have this, I wouldn't be who I am today
And I have lots of friends
Oh, and I have love
Yeah, I have a hard life but in some ways everybody does

And some like me have lost their battle
But they will be the sun that gives you warmth,
And lights the way so we can shine on

Yeah, it's a hard life
But I'm okay
If I didn't have this, I wouldn't be who I am today
And I have lots of friends
Oh, and I have love
Yeah, I have a hard life but in some ways everybody does
Yeah, I have a hard life but in some ways everybody does

Different

I’m not your average type of girl
Not part of this stereotypical world
Don’t wanna be anything but myself
I was never good at tryin’ to be someone else

Take me as I am I’m not changing for anyone
Guess it’s me against the world but tell me one thing

Why do they hate me for being different? Different.
And when will they see that being different is good? Different

High school life is so black and white
You either fit in or stick out, but that’s just life
For me I’m sure that some day they will find
That fitting in was overrated

Why do they hate me for being different? Different.
And when will they see that being different is good? Different.

Although It's Been Said Many Times, Many Ways....

Blessed

It's the first two lines of this song that touch me the most.
Welcoming and being grateful in ALL circumstances...
THAT is the key!



I welcome the sun,
the clouds and rain,
the wind that sweeps the sky clean
and lets the sun shine again.
this is the most magnificent life has ever been.
here is heaven and earth
and the brilliant sky in between.



blessed is this life
and I'm gonna celebrate being alive.
blessed is this life
and I'm gonna celebrate being alive

I dwell in the darkness
I let in the light
I sleep in the afternoon
and become the noise in the night
I trespass in temptation
suffered in sacrifice
but I awake each day with a new sunrise

blessed is this life, oh
and I'm gonna celebrate being alive
blessed is this life, oh
and I'm gonna celebrate being alive

Roll With the Punches

This is my anthem this week.
Chloe has been having
seizure activity,
reflux,
constipation,
allergies,
and not sleeping.
I feel like we're taking hit after hit!
But I'm learning to just roll with the punches :)

Once I shake off all these proverbial fists to the face, I will get back to my routine kidz posts. I have lots of wonderful stuff to share!!!

Beautiful Heartbreak

These lyrics are stunningly beautiful and poignant to how I feel about living this special life!



I had it all mapped out in front of me
Knew just where I wanted to go
But life decided to change my plans
And I found a mountain in the middle of my road.

I knew there was no way to move it
So I searched for a way around
Broken-hearted, I started climbing
And at the top I found

(Chorus)
Every fear, every doubt, all the pain I went through
Was the price that I paid to see this view
And now that I'm here I would never trade
The grace that I feel and the face that I find
Through the bittersweet tears and the sleepless nights
I used to pray He'd take it all away
But instead it became a beautiful heartbreak.

I never dreamed my heart would make it
I thought about turning around
But Heaven has shown me miracles
I never would have seen from the ground

Now I take the rain with the sunshine
Cuz there's one thing that I know
He picks up the pieces along each broken road.

(repeat chorus)

Hold Me

Source: piccsy.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Angel

Angel - Jack Johnson ♪

I've got an angel
She doesn't wear any wings
She wears a heart that could melt my own
She wears a smile that could make me want to sing


She gives me presents
With her presence alone
She gives me everything i could wish for
She gives me kisses on the lips just for coming home


She can make angels
Ive seen it with my own eyes
You got to be careful when you you've got good love
'cause them angels will just keep on multiplying


But you're so busy changing the world
Just one smile and you could change all of mine
We share the same soul
Oh oh oh ohh

We share the same soul
Oh oh oh ohh
We share the same soul
Oh oh oh ohh
Oh oh oh ohh
Mmm mmm mmm mmm

Images linked to sources.

The Living Proof

The Living Proof lyrics by Mary J. Blige

It's gonna be a long long journey
It's gonna be an uphill climb
It's gonna be tough
It's gonna be some lonely nights
But I am ready to carry on
I am so glad the worst is over
I can start living now
I feel like I can do anything
And finally I am not afraid to breathe
Anything you said to me
And everything you do
You can't deny the truth
Cause I am the living proof
So many thoughts fight
They just can't make it through
But look at me
I am the living proof
Oh yes I am



Thinking about life's been painful
Yes it was
Took a lot to learn how to smile
So now I am gonna talk to my people about the storm
Oh so glad the worst is over
I can start flying now
My best days are in front of me
I am almost there
Cause now I am free
Everything you say to me
And everything you do
You can't deny the truth
Cause I am the living proof
So many of those who fight
They just can't make it through
But look at me
I am the living proof

I know where I am going
Cause I know where I have been
I am gonna feel starts that showing
I am gonna keep rolling
That's the way that I will
Everything you say to me
And everything you do
You can't deny the truth
Cause I am the living proof
So many of those who fight
They just can't make it through
But look at me
I am the living proof

Nothing about my life has been easy
But nothing is gonna keep me down
Cause I know a lot more today
Than I knew yesterday
So I am ready to carry on

Made for Each Other

Made for Each Other lyrics and song by Emilie Mover

You are exactly one of a kind
There ain't no other I would find
You are eternally on my mind
We're so completely intertwined

And in a perfect world as this
You can wake up every day
And make your way

We dream of all the best stuff
And we can make it happen
We were made for each other
And we sing along with all our favorite songs
And we can make them up
Because we were made for each other
For always

Source

Smallest Wingless

This week, I've been overwhelmed with gratitude for my Samantha. I just can't imagine my life without her...with all her imperfections, she is absolutely perfect to me. The struggles and pain that we have experienced (and will continue to experience) is refining my life to help me become who I need to be ~ and her light influences reaches out further than to just me. You know that feeling, like your heart may burst because you love that little child so much? I have felt that often over the past couple weeks.

And then, my thoughts have turned to those who were only touched by a moment of life with their child. I have met many who didn't have the chance to experience very much mortal life with their babies. You may be one of those....or will be. My heart aches for you. As I type, I cry thinking of the sadness you may feel. And my gratitude for each moment I have with Samantha increases. What I have learned from those who have had to face the heartache of losing a child has been a deeper understanding of the reality that every. moment. matters.

Craig Cardiff heard about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (follow the link for more information) and was inspired to write this song. Whether you lose a child at birth, a day, month, or years later, I feel like this song rings true to the heart. (Grab a tissue.)



dear one we've been waiting for you.
thrilled, beside ourselves you've arrived.
white coats came in heads held low.
talked for a bit, shuffled outside.

we closed the curtains, held each other and cried.
said hello at the same time we said goodbye.

smallest and wingless
leaving as soon as you arrived.
sadness is just love wasted
with no little heart to place it inside.

we closed the curtains held each other and cried.
said hello at the same time we said goodbye

Tiny Light

The Tiny Light Foundation is a non profit organization that provides professional photography for children and families in Canada that have been faced with a life altering diagnosis. They provide families with the lasting memories through the amazing art of photography.



This is their song.

Tiny Light

The tiny light that shines from your heart
It shines with love like it has from the start
My precious child you are so pure
The fight you fight is more than one man can endure

The tiny light that shines from your heart
Just like the sun it will never lose it's spark
My precious child I have etched you in my arms
To not forget just how far you have come

This world can be unclear
When young hearts fill with fear
All life's tough moments they will always pass
And those tiny little hearts will grow up so fast

The tiny light that shines from your heart
It guides the way down a path of hope and love
My precious child on the day you were born
A love was made that will never be torn

credits from Tiny Light, track released 10 May 2011
Cory Woodward - Vocals, Ukelele, Synth,
Available for purchase here.

Her Very Own Song

The Songs of Love Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing personalized songs for children and teens currently facing tough medical, physical or emotional challenges, free of charge.

(Songs of Love Foundation was featured on 60 Minutes with Dan Rather. Watch Here!)

I had known about the foundation for quite awhile, but wanted to wait until Chloe got a little older and we could understand her personality better so she could be better captured in a song. Then it suddenly hit me -- it was time for Chloe to have her song. So we sent in an application. I was shocked when we got it in the mail! It came so quickly AND it is perfect! It is SO Chloe!!! Enjoy....



Most of the lyrics are very Chloe-specific, but I thought the last verse could apply to any special kiddo!....

You're amazing just the way you are
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah!
Never, ever, ever give up
Our little girl with big dreams
Celebrating little things
Chloe Gayle, remember - we love you.
We love you!

Boat Song

If you were a boat my darling

A boat my darling

I'd be the wind at your back

If you were afraid my darling

Afraid my darling

I'd be the courage you lack.

If you were a bird

Then I'd be a tree

And you would come home

My darling to me

If you were asleep

Then I'd be a dream

Wherever you are

That's where my heart will be

Oh do you know we belong together?

Oh do you know my heart is yours?

Source

If you were the ocean

Then I'd be the sand

If you were a song

I'd be the band

If you were the stars

Then id be the moon

A light in the dark my darling for you

Oh do yo know we belong together?

Oh do you know my heart is yours?

Oh do you know we belong together?

Oh do you know my heart is yours?

Oh do you know we belong together?

Oh do you know my heart is yours?

Wait it Out?

I lived and breathed this song for a long time.
I cannot believe I haven't shared it on kidz yet.
Please take in the lyrics and eat up the message.

Where do we go from here?
How do we carry on?
I can't get beyond the questions.
Clambering for the scraps
In the shatter of us collapsed.
It cuts me with every could-have-been.

Pain on pain on play, repeating
With the backup makeshift life in waiting.

Everybody says that time heals everything.
But what of the wretched hollow?
The endless in-between?
Are we just going to wait it out?

There's nothing to see here now,
Turning the sign around;
We're closed to the Earth 'til further notice.
Clambering for the scraps,
Clambering in the light.
We're closed to the Earth 'til further...

An all-out one, only one street-level miracle.
I'll be a an out-and-out, born again from none more cynical.

Everybody says that time heals everything.
But what of the wretched hollow?
The endless in-between?
Are we just going to wait it out?

And sit here cold?
Look, you'll be long gone by then.
And lackluster in dust we lay
'round old magazines.
Fluorescent lighting sets the scene
For all we could and should being
In the one life that we've got.

Everybody says that time heals everything.
But what of the wretched hollow?
The endless in-between?

Are we just going to wait it out?
Just going to sweat it out?
Just going to sweat it out?
Wait it out.

When it came to accepting a life I didn't expect, one that seemed to be sprinkled with (and sometimes even doused with) pain, I asked myself the question. "Am I just going to wait it out?" I decided that no, I didn't want to just wait. Even if I was living in pain or regret or fear of the unknown, I wanted to live -- to truly be present. I didn't want to spend my one precious life waiting for it to get better. I have to remind myself of this often.... not to emotionally step outside my life because I don't like what I'm going through, not to put off my potential for happiness because I haven't been dealt the exact cards I wanted.... to live in the here and now every moment.

It reminds me of these quotes.

Source

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