Friday, August 29, 2008

This morning's news

This morning I learned that John McCain has chosen Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska, as his running mate. A woman. A woman with 5 children. The youngest of whom was just born in April and happens to have Down syndrome.

I remember hearing or reading somewhere months and months ago that she was pregnant with her fifth baby, and I thought it was so cool. I was pregnant with my sixth at the time. We moms of large families seem to be a breed of our own, and we tend to get lots of looks and comments from people about our choice to have more than the typical 2 or 3 kids. So I thought it was very cool that this very successful woman was going to have her fifth baby.

I didn't know until this morning, however, that her fifth baby has DS. When I heard, I got this strange adrenaline rush, and felt like I was going to laugh and cry all at the same time. I somehow feel a kinship with this woman now. We'll never meet or speak, I'm sure, but somehow we're connected nonetheless.

5 comments:

Cindy said...

Isn't it amazing the feelings you get when you see someone else who might possibly feel or understand what you are dealing with? I relate it to mothers of multiples, and mothers with large families, or mothers with children of special needs, or even mothers with High needs children. Unless someone has experienced it how would they fully comprehend what you have to live through on a daily basis?

I think that is awesome that you feel a special connection with her. :)

Laurie said...

I saw this as well, Lisa.
And...very well said, Cindy. ITA : )

Carla said...

And, click, another connection. So wonderful...and well put, Cindy.

Jodi said...

I immediately thought of you when I saw her bio - both the five kids and her youngest having DS - not the shooting moose or racing snowmobiles :)

Anonymous said...

I got very excited early Friday when I heard that McCain's VP pick was a 44 yr old woman with 5 kids, the most recent with DS. I couldn't believe it. I immediately thought, how amazing and incredible this development could turn out to be for Lisa, Mike, Finn, and the other kids..that this could have a powerful supportive impact for you Lisa and Mike-emotionally/inspirationally.

As soon as I watched and heard this news on the East Coast at 10:45 a.m. Eastern time, I felt this was a significant event for my family, maybe a miracle, and that somehow there is and would be a connection with Finn. Though only 7:45 a.m. out in Ca , I called Michael, excitedly- to tell him. He only had a minute , but I think he was struck by it too.

If necessary, and if you wish to get involved organizationally one day-Lisa- I'm again thinking big when it comes to you. On the Vice President's task force perhaps, knowing you and your drive and how you might reach out..

I've been a Liberal Democrat my whole life, yet always voted for the candidate, character especially, not the party line. Who would have thought I'd find a reason to vote Republican today, after attending an Obama acceptance speech party last night? Not only for Sara Pailin's and your character and other moms, but to keep a miracle, and a connection going.

Joe