Birthday joy?
Earlier this week it was Jasmine’s birthday. It was an absolute pleasure to hear her in her bed, waking up to find a present which she frantically opened the moment she woke up; Melissa and I listened out of sight behind her bedroom door, laughing quietly at the sound of gift paper going everywhere before she had even wiped the sleep from her eyes. With her Nana and Papa arriving Saturday for the holiday weekend, she’ll no doubt have more presents to enjoy!
She’s two years old, very advanced physically and mentally for her age and developing into a beautiful little girl. However, for me, days like these are always filled with sadness too. Our eldest daughter Jaden has an undiagnosed neurological disorder that has left her far behind the normal paediatric growth curve. She starts school for special needs children in the fall and will have her 3rd birthday in July. The more Jasmine thrives, the larger the ability gap between her and her elder sister becomes.
While I’m sure Jaden will enjoy her birthday in her own right way, I just find it very hard to cope with the fact that she is missing out on all the things that Jasmine is enjoying. People may say that I’m being overly sensitive, but I see her every day, just sitting there, watching her sister run around the house doing all the things a 2 year old does. I just can’t stop wondering if she knows what she is missing, and I suppose that is what saddens me the most.
– Andy
