Govin's Lambing Barn 2016

My brother Zack came to spend the day with us. What better way to spend it than visiting the Govin's Lambing Barn on the last weekend of the season? We had a great time and everybody got their fill of baby cuddles and even a few kisses. 

Zack: 25 Years Old

 This guy. He's my brother.

He was born 25 years ago. I was young enough to not understand the serious-ness of his health, all I knew was what my mom and dad told me: He has Down's Syndrome. He will see the world differently than us. He is very special. He will have a greater capacity to love.

I never knew there was anything "wrong" with him, outside of the numerous hospital stays in a city far away. I didn't know Down's Syndrome was a word that scared parents.

Sure, he couldn't hit his milestones at the same rate the rest of us do. But he could sing, and say words like "Hallelujah" before he could even say our names.

This kid grew up. He loved everybody he met, and they couldn't help but love him back. He became the greatest uncle a kid could ask for. He cared deeply about the real things, the deep things, the things you talk to God about.

And now today is his birthday. He's been in my life for 25 years. He's invested himself passionately into my kids' lives. With such a great guy in our lives, I don't know how we could possibly be richer.

Happy Birthday to the greatest brother on the planet.

Of Sunshine, Gorgeous Creatures, And Our Favorite Uncle Zack

Big daddy had taken big brother fishing, so I had the day with just Colton. And since Mama is not as interesting as fishing or daddy or big brother, we went and hung out with this guy, the favorite Uncle  Zack.

Zack's such a great guy. To know him is to love him. To have him in your life is to have your life forever blessed. I'm so happy to be his sister, and my kids sure are lucky to have the best uncle ever!

 Sometimes you need days of just nothing but sunshine and beautiful creatures and special people. Don't forget to make time for that every once in awhile. 

Real Strength

Nothing is so strong as gentleness, 

and nothing is as gentle as real strength. 

Ralph W. Sockman

{My brother Zack and his adoring little nephew Colton.} 

When I say he's special, I don't mean short-bus special. 

I mean really, really special. 

He has a gift that the world can't afford to exist without.

Zack

Zack

This is Zack.

He's my little brother, and he has Down's Syndrome.

He talks a lot. He loves music. He has incredible talent on the drums. He can't carry a tune, but that doesn't stop him from singing. He listens to Unshackled every day. He loves his radio. He enjoys baseball. He loves popcorn. He's learning how to cook. He has coffee every morning. His birthday is "Leptember seben." He keeps his room in impeccable order. He has a crush on another girl who has Down's. He thinks old TV shows like Andy Griffeth are the best. He's stubborn, but one  person that can always change his mind is Dad. He's 22, because you know why? Dad told him. He absolutely loves Saturdays because he gets to go to the dump with Dad and the dump guys always give him suckers. He's almost always happy. He feels things very deeply. So deeply, sometimes it makes him cry. He adores his nieces and nephews as much as they adore him. He loves people unconditionally. He loves Jesus with all his heart. 

Zack is a beautiful person with a larger-than-life capacity to love and be loved.

In a society where intelligence is measured by IQ points, where success is defined by money, where happiness is material, where beauty is superficial, where faith is a crutch, where love is complicated, where every pregnant woman is offered testing to determine Down's Syndrome so she can terminate if need be... With everything that's dark and messed up about our world, there's this beautiful space of pure sunshine called Zack.

Zack doesn't need IQ points to be so innocent and caring, to find happiness in the simplest things, and bring joy to every. single. person. he meets. Zack has taught me that sometimes intelligence clutters up our minds. It complicates our lives. We can't love as freely, find contentment so easily, and trust so willingly. Zack has no pretense, no agenda, just a free and simple love to give to anyone who will accept. So tender, so affectionate. I have watched him love the unlovable, soften the hardest of hearts, and accept the undeserving. His life has impacted so many people; he's a hero in his own beautiful way.  He knows how to laugh--at himself and at others. Have a blonde moment in front of him and he will chuckle and mutter, "What a retard." He has the best relationship advice ever--"Happy wife, happy life," he always says, especially at weddings.

His faith is so simple... so real. Sometimes I think he might be an angel unaware.

The world is a better place because of Zack and people like Zack. When I say he's special, I don't mean short-bus special. I mean really, really special. He has a gift that the world can't afford to exist without.

I'm proud of Zack. I love having him as a brother, I love that he's my kids' adored uncle. I love that he is who he is and that he's part of our family.

He's da man.

For you fashioned my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I thank you because I am awesomely made, wonderfully; your works are wonders--I know this very well.

My bones were not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes could see me as an embryo, but in your book all my days were already written; my days had been shaped before any of them existed.

God, how I prize your thoughts!

Psalms 139