Welcome to Team Tiny Dancer! We formed this team in honor of our sweet pea, Sloane. Sloane loves music, is always moving, and absolutely adores Elton John’s song “Tiny Dancer”. She is our very own tiny dancer!
When we were expecting her arrival, we would often wonder what our little girl would be like. Would she be tall? Pretty good chance of that with tall parents. Would she be a bookworm, be into sports, or even model? We knew she’d be pretty cute (that was a given!), but other than that it was fun to keep guessing what our little peanut would be. What we didn’t know at the time, was that she’d be born with an extra copy of the 21st chromosome, in other words Down syndrome. This is just a part of her makeup, it does not define her!
It was a surprise to us at birth and didn’t take us long to realize that she is a beautiful gift like no other. For some reason, we were blessed with this amazing soul to tend to. Actually, she tends to our souls with an unknowing and abounding grace. In fact, the very definition of grace is “the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings”.
On one hand, I can look at it as I must have done SOMETHING right in my life to be rewarded with such a blessing. On the other hand, I can look at it as the very reason she was placed in our lives was because I needed her. I needed everything she represents. She is PURE JOY wrapped up in some chunk, adorable cheeks, one dimple and a smile that could melt the frozen tundra.
Someone told us shortly after birth that we won the lottery. I didn’t understand what they meant then, but I do now. She is our winning lottery ticket. We are the lucky ones that get to go through life with our very own innocent sage, Sloane, teaching us to enjoy this beautiful life we’ve been given, live in the present moment, and celebrate the pure joy people and this world have to offer.
We invite you to join our team to walk and/or raise funding and awareness for a very important cause, Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin. We will walk in honor of our little warrior (Sloane means Warrior) and hope you will join us! Sloane has been blessed with some beautiful souls surrounding her since birth with love and peace. We hope to bring that love to this event on September 25th!
With Joy,
J.T., Dani & Sloane (And Louie)