Our 4 year old has Down Syndrome and has been our family’s greatest teacher in life. Here are a few lessons I have learned from him.

1. Keep trying – if you keep trying, you will eventually get the outcome you want
2. Don’t give in to expectations – if Cody only lived up to the expectations people have of him they would never see his true potential. I love that he can prove people wrong!
3. Keep smiling – even when he was laying in a hospital bed connected to a ventilator, he never stopped smiling. Even when he is sleeping I catch him laughing and smiling while dreaming. I want his dreams.
4. Never hold a grudge – His anger only lasts minutes and can be eliminated with a simple smile at him.
5. Be able to laugh at yourself – Laughter is truly the best medicine and being able to laugh at yourself can be refreshing.
6. Make friends everywhere you go – A smile and a hello can brighten someone’s day. Have you ever been in a bad mood, but once a stranger offers a smile you cannot help but smile and realize that life is not as bad as you might think it is?
7. Don’t forget to be silly – Being an adult doesn’t mean you have to always act like one. Be silly once in awhile and see how good it feels.
8. Show your love often – Cody has an endless supply of hugs, kisses and “i lub yous” to give away. Hug someone and it can make their day.
9. Be there for someone – Be their shoulder to lean on. If ever anyone in the house is upset or in trouble (aka the puppy or his brother), Cody is the first one by their side to comfort them or stand up for them.
10. Enjoy life – Cody can turn anything he does into something fun and enjoyable. I think us adults need to do that more often!!!

Read more from Michelle at the Down Syndrome Diaries.