We stopped to get some ice cream at DJ's, and while we were at the counter getting our 50 cent cones, a couple came in with their little girl. At first she toddled around, but when her mom picked her up, we could suddenly see her face, and the girls all turned to me and said almost in unison....."Awwww, they have a little girl just like Kaylie!!!"
The folks probably wondered at that point why we seemed so interested in them, but we couldn't help it! This child was adorable, but even more noticeably had the sweetest, most loving smile toward her parents that I have ever seen. They obviously enjoyed her thoroughly, and as we watched, she leaned out towards her dad with adoring eyes and outstretched arms, and then gave her mom one last hug before going to him.
We were rounding the corner of the counter by then, so I asked how old she was. Found out she is 3 and her name is Bailey. I then gave them a short explanation of why their child held such an attraction for us, and was such a magnet for our family...and a little about Kaylie and how much we miss her....
About that time Bailey reached out for me with a big grin. I asked her parents if they would mind me holding her, and they kindly allowed her to come to me. Actually she lunged for me! She wrapped her chubby little arms around my neck and hugged me like she'd known me all her life - held on to me tight for a long time! And the only words that would come to my heart and voice were, "What a sweetie." Her parents even seemed a little surprised at how affectionate she was toward me. It was precious. Have you ever been given a long, tight hug that left you feeling, "Wow, I didn't realize that person liked/loved/missed me that much!"? That is how I felt...but it was from God this time.
This little child so touched all of our hearts, in that brief, unexpected encounter, that we all left there sort of stunned...trying to sort out what had just happened! A sideline conversation had turned into a tangible connection with the Love of Heaven.
I now understand even more plainly what Sam calls ULS (Unconditional Love Syndrome), otherwise known to "outsiders" as Downs Syndrome. There has to be an extra bucketful of love poured into each of those ULS hearts.
Thank you, God, for letting little Kaylie affect all of our lives so strongly, even in the brief time you allowed Sam & April to share her with us. She opened our eyes, hearts, and arms to a whole lot more love than we thought possible.
Such a precious story Rachel. You know, of course, that I can barely type for the tears in my eyes. How blessed you all are to know such love. Her story has touched many...she has and will continue to touch many.
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