merry, merry

My youngest sister Merry is the best. I've been thinking about her a lot lately. Having just been home visiting family, Merry was the one that gave up her room for Chris and I. Without one complaint. She has been known to complain pretty loudly upon hearing that she will have to relinquish her room for a few days. It's hard for her to break out of her routine, but she always does. Sometimes, we will find notes or letters asking us to please not touch her stuff or there will be dire consequences. This time her note was sweet and tender. Merry has Down's Syndrome and has made our life better for 25 years. (Jayne and Chris-

You are my best sister and brother-in-law.

You are my favorite and easy to talk to and fun to be with.

I love you so much. You have good kids. Love, Merry)

I remember looking at Merry through the glass at the hospital. We were all sad. Merry wasn't the "perfect" baby we had all been waiting for. She was the last of 7 and so anticipated. I was a 14 year old baby lover, and couldn't wait for another little one to snuggle and take care of. They told my parents that they should consider institutionalizing her. My parents never looked back. Merry was in physical therapy since birth and has been blossoming ever since.
We love Merry. We love that she drives us crazy sometimes. We love that we can't understand her. It just makes us get a little closer and listen more intently. We love that she calls and leaves us very long, sometimes, incomprehensible messages, but never forgets to say "I love you. Call me back."
We love that she pats us on the back and gives really long squeezes when she's around. She has also been known to give me really superb foot rubs. (I do have to pay her sometimes, but I'm willing. Oh, and she did try to convince Chris to leave me for her. I forgave her.) And the person that chooses Merry for the Christmas gift exchange is ecstatic, because the genuine joy as she opens her presents is priceless.

We are sad at times that Merry will not marry and have a family, something she desperately desires. But, what makes life great with Merry around, is that we are all just a little closer to heaven. She has been promised she will be with her Saviour. We all want to be there with Merry. We all try harder to make it there too, because we know Merry will be there with the long squeezes and tight hugs and a few pats on the back.