Grace

A Trisomy 21 Angel

Grace was born on earth on November 25, 2014—and in our hearts on October 8, 2015.

She was the beautiful baby our family didn’t know we needed.

And when we said “yes” to her, we did so without hesitation and with joy.

Grace kept life interesting.  She was born with Down Syndrome, but it wasn’t the extra chromosome that made her life challenging.  It was the unexpected connective tissue and bone marrow failure disorders!

Despite a surgical short gut, TPN dependence, a central line, G/J tube, daily GCSF shots, and lab work that would make any medical professional cringe…life marched on.

Known as “Bird” to those who knew her best, Gracie was a cuddly, happy, tiny soul who embraced the many challenges life handed her with her signature tenacity.  She found joy in snuggles with her Mama, dragging her blankies everywhere, playing with her big sister Lulu and puppy Fred, and watching Signing Time and Sesame Street.  She even taught a few people to (reluctantly) tolerate Baby Shark!

She left her family on June 4, 2020, secondary to complications related to sepsis.

We will spend the rest of our lives missing her—but would do it all over again.  For her.