For the past couple of years, I’ve written a poem around this time, World Down syndrome day! So I figured I’d do it again. Based on some of the things I had seen in Hope’s first few weeks of kindy, here is “Imagine How That Makes Me Feel”

I sit and watch as they run by fast,
Their feet move quick, they rush right past.
I try to follow, but I fall behind,
I sit back down, I guess I don’t mind.

They speak so fast, I can’t keep up,
With all their stories, real and made up.
I have plenty of stories, I want to share too,
But I’m afraid my words just don’t come through.

I reach my hand to try and show,
That I want to join in, I want to go,
The way that I play may not seem ideal,
But imagine how that makes me feel.

I find a ball, and I want to play,
Then I see someone start to come my way.
They want to join me, I smile so bright,
Perhaps everything will be alright.

We throw the ball around for a while,
I hope they see how much I smile.
We play together, wild and free.
To have a friend means so much to me,

Including me can be hard I know,
If you’re not sure how, just give it a go.
When I’m included, inside I squeal,
Just imagine how that makes me feel.