6 years ago...

I have been thinking a lot today as it is the anniversary of us getting Mason's diagnosis of Angelman Syndrome.

Wow, 6 years seems like such a long time ago. I can still remember that day vividly. I remember it was sunny, we were stationed in England, and I was sitting on the floor leaning against our couch, and Mason had just fallen asleep. It was right around 9 am that the doctor called me. Now, the result was not a shock by any means, I knew what the test would conclude, that he did indeed have this disorder that we knew really nothing about. Dr Swayne was blunt, which I appreciated, she just said there was no point in scheduling a meeting to discuss the results as that would be to much worry. The test came back positive.

I remember that I started to cry, I could hardly speak and I just said thank you and hung up the phone. I called Mike and he wasn't in the building for work right then. I hung up, sat and just stared at Mason. I haven't had tears like that day before. They weren't of sadness, just tears of the idea that this could not be 'fixed'. I called the next person that always seems to have something motivating for me, who has always had the answers in my eyes, my dad. It was 2am and I did feel slightly bad, but it was so comforting for me just to talk with him for a moment. I can't even remember what he said, but for right then it made it all better.

I waited patiently for Mike to call to give him the news. He was given the rest of the day to come and hang out with us. I have to say I didn't really grieve the loss of a child that I dreamed of, as some parents had tried to prepare me for. I feel like Mike and I both had known since the beginning and had been given quiet reassurances from our Savior on our path. Getting that diagnosis changed our lives in ways that we would never dream. We started to study, to learn about this disorder that would be in our lives forever. There was no going back now. A course had been chosen for us and we had to be prepared. To bad there is no preparing. There are some books, some information, but we have learned more about Angelman Syndrome just by living it then studying it. Mason doesn't fit a mold, he is Mason. He is unique in his own right and has a spirit about him that one could never deny has a very close relationship with God. I don't know what we did to deserve him, because he certainly deserves more than us, but we all try.

Mason has taught us that we have a HUGE amount of patience, but that we also have a HUGE amount more to learn. He has taught us unconditional love. No human being I have ever met can display that kind of love like Mason can. He makes everyone FEEL loved, FEEL special, and also FEEL the love of their Heavenly Father. I can remember one sunday at church when I was feeling extra stressed about Mason, about the children, just about life. One of the members of the ward came to me and wanted to tell me how they felt around Mason. They explained of a time when they were able to be in the same room as the Prophet. They explained how they felt so close to God at that moment. They then told me that is how they feel when they are around Mason. I felt such a joy in my heart that day. I also felt a sadness that I had lost sight of that feeling. I was so blessed to have someone remind me of that. I was pleased to know that Mason was hard at work on his mission on earth.

There are many things that Mason won't do in this life, but I know that he will be given the chance to do so much in the next. He will be blessed for devoting his life to showing people what the true charity and love of Christ is. I look forward to that day when Mason will speak to us and will be able to run, jump, skip, and be whole again. I know that this will happen in our life to come and I look forward to that.

I am grateful for my eternal perspective on life with Mason. It helps us through the times that are not the most pleasant to endure. Thanks to Mason our family gets a glimpse of what true joy really means.