July 1, 2016
Dear Addie
There is a famous Mark Twain quote "The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you know why". I was blessed to realize my "why" multiple times in my life and each time it has evolved into what is my mission today. Lets start from the beginning....The first "why", becoming a mother. On December 11, 2005, we welcomed your big, loving sister Clara to the world. It was amazing. Then on March 9, 2008 our family grew again with your big brother Gabe. Again, miraculous. Finally December 26, the day after Christmas in 2010... the day you were born. My dear, what amazing blessing that day was.
I still remember looking at daddy's face while I was breathing through intense contractions in car, this was the moment we had waited for and he was navigating icy roads all the way! Luck would have it, North Carolina was in the midst of the "snow storm of the century" and the roads were treacherous! When we pulled up, daddy asked to drop me off at the front door to make sure I made it inside, but I made him park and we walked in together - hand in hand.
We walked in the front door of the hospital, and 20 minutes later you were in my arms. It was as if you couldn't wait to see this world! (I would question later whether the world was ready for you.) I was so overwhelmed with happiness to meet you, that I decided to add "Joy" to your middle name. My newest reason "why", Adeline Josephine Joy Menzo.
A few years later, after many evaluations I remember receiving your Autism diagnosis. I guess I knew it was coming, but I still felt unprepared to hear it. I felt like I had lost the person I had imagined that you would grow up to become. That person just disappeared. I grieved. We grieved. To this day, I still feel guilty for having felt that way.
Then I snapped out of it! I realized I really I hadn't lost you, but found you - the real you.
Just like dad and I did on the day you were born, we will always walk with you, hand in hand through life.
While there have been, and will always be good days and bad days, ups and downs, happy times and sad times - I want you to know: I believe you were blessed to me to be my "why".
I will always love you. I will always be here for you. I will always believe in you. You are an amazing person and I am blessed that you are mine.
Thank you for bringing our family such Joy. Let us walk together as we did the day you were born, One Team, One Dream.
Love,
Mom
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