I met the most amazing person today.

I went to a family get-together (a birthday gathering for my grandmother), and I was told that a very nice woman would be showing up (the long term girlfriend of my aunt's brother). I was told she worked with special needs children, and that I would really like her. Knowing how sweet the rest of the family is, I was looking forward to meeting her. I didn't realize what an emotional day I was about to have.

She showed up, and I knew immediately that I liked her. She just had a "nature" about her that was kind and you couldn't help but like. She works as a teacher assistant- used to work with young children, but had recently been relocated to the high school. Well, of course, I like anyone who chooses to work with our special kids She then opened up to me about a little boy she had raised as her own from birth to 3 years of age. He had been born with a rare chromosomal disorder, and like my son didn't walk or talk, didn't sit up by himself yet, had hospitalizations in the same children's hospital my son had spent time in, had seizures and sensory issues and even a feeding tube, just like my little guy. She told me they had even wondered if her little man had Angelman Syndrome like Cam, but no, he had something different.  She told me how she got resistance from people who knew her, because she wasn't a young lady herself and caring for him was hard on her, but her love was so strong it didn't matter. Those people are so special- the ones who choose to take on something so involving, children who aren't even their own. It was all I could manage to hold it together when she showed me his photo.

I didn't ask details about how he died, but he passed away at 3 years old. But I did ask how long ago it had been. Only a year or so. Ugh, so fresh...

Of course, she was very interested in Cameron, whom I had there.

I was sitting, holding Cameron later on the couch, and she approached me. "Can I ask something of you?" she said. I would have done anything for this woman at this point, I was so touched by her story. She had one simple request: "Can I hold Cameron"?

My heart sunk to my stomach. I totally knew why she wanted to hold him. She was missing that quiet little snuggle-ness of her little guy, where you lovingly stroke his sweet head and face, and he snuggles into you, giving a contented little sigh. It's those moments like that that other parents don't understand, unless they have a lower functioning, and non-verbal child like our boys.

She held him for a long time, until it was time for her to leave. Her eyes welled up with tears on several occasions, and so did mine- I kept having to leave the room. I know she didn't want to let him go, and her heart was aching. I am so sad for her. I told her she was welcome to come visit whenever she liked, and I hope she will. I think she will. It's kind of strange to meet someone that you share such a deep respect and mutual understanding with right away. And, in a world where so many people don't know how to interact with my son, I'll never forget how lovingly she treated by boy.

I dedicate this post to her little angel.