Jan 8, 2017 2 min read

Dear Annie: I have a rare child, one who asks nothing for herself and gives generously to others. Each year for her birthday and Christmas, I try to find something, anything, my daughter might like as a gift. She smiles sweetly and says nothing or says, “I’m good.”

Yet she works hard to make other lives easier and happier every day. When her dad had a stroke, she was my assistant, no matter how messy and how hard the task. When her dad passed away, she and I clung to each other for comfort. Then we got the news that her uncle was very ill. We moved from our home in Florida to Alabama to help him. She lost her school, her friends, a community to walk in without fear and so much more.

Once again, she gave her all, helping to bring her uncle back from barely being able to get out of bed to being able to plant in his beloved garden once more. If he made any noise, she ran to his room to see whether she could help. Her room was next to his, and mine was at the other end of the house.

She smiles at everyone and makes no judgments regarding color, sex, religion, wealth or anything else others notice. She accepts one and all. At church breakfasts every Sunday, she proudly says the prayer of thanks, and before every sermon, she raises her voice in song.

This rare and beautiful young woman is 38 years old, and although often hurt by other people, she holds no hate in her heart. She was born with Down syndrome.

That she holds no bias in her heart makes me wonder: Are the rest of us “normal,” or is she? I think she is, because she acts the way all humans should instead of as they do. If you want to print my real name, that works for me, for I am so proud of my generous, loving child. – Proud of My Daughter

Dear Proud: Thank you for sharing your daughter’s generosity with the world. May we all learn from her example.

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