Got some stories today. Just to Make You Smile. It was one of those crazy mornings a few weeks ago here. (I’m sure you don’t have those at your house.) There was no school because it was MLK Day, so we’d scheduled back to back dentist appointments for the boys. They weren’t exactly thrilled about it because it was supposed to be their day off. And besides, it was snowing. So they felt cheated. Yeah, they already had the day off, but they wanted a snow day off from school. Remember how maddening it was as a kid when it snowed on the weekend and you didn’t get to miss school? No fair.
Anyway, it was crazy because one of the kids needed a fasting blood test prior to the other appointments. Jon had taken him to the lab, but the doctor’s office had forgotten to call in the blood test. As they waited there for that to happen, Jon realized there wasn’t time to pick up the rest of the crew and they’d be late for their dentist appointments. So he called me last minute to bring them along. Well I’m still in my robe, Hudson’s not dressed. And the appointments begin in fifteen minutes. Thus the mad scramble to get dressed, clear ice and snow off the car and attempt to make it to the dentist on time.
It all worked out (phew) and we got there just a few minutes late, dropped the bigger kids off. Jon met us and Hudson came back home with me. (Hudson’s my littlest of four boys, five years old, has Down syndrome.) We didn’t even have a spare second to clear the walkway on our way out, so shuffled through three or four inches of powdery snow to the side door. When we get inside the porch mudroom, I stamp my feet to get the snow off.
Hudson watches me, but doesn’t stamp his feet. His shoes are covered too. A couple times I show him how to stamp off the snow, exaggerate my stamping on the water hog mat.
“Come on Hudson, let’s do this.” I say “Let’s stamp!”, hoping he’ll copy me, stamp his snow-covered shoes too.
Well, he doesn’t get it. So finally I pick up his right foot to physically show him how to stamp. He obviously has no idea what I’m about, because he stiffens his knee, straightens his leg. And in the blink of an eye he’s down on his bottom. Lips quivering, tears flowing. And I feel like the biggest heel ever. Basically brought him down one-handed. Must’ve felt like his mama pulled his leg out from under him, pushed him down. And a thin diaper’s not so much protection for a hard, unexpected fall on a wooden floor. So I hug him, tell him I’m sorry. And that sweet sweet little boy, though he doesn’t have a clue what I was trying to help him do, gives me the biggest open-armed bear hug in the world through his tears. Cries into the shoulder of the one who brought him down. So trusting. So forgiving. Just like that.
I’ve been told more times than I can count how nice it is that people with Down syndrome are always happy. I know they mean well saying it, but it’s not true. I grew up with my oldest sister Elisabeth who has Down syndrome, and spend my days with little Hudson. My sister isn’t always happy, and neither is Hudson.
But both Hudson and Elisabeth have an unusual quality that many of the rest of us struggle with. They know how to forgive. Quickly and easily. And seemingly don’t hold grudges.
Which brings me to what I want to share with you today… Just to Make You Smile. Tim is a twenty-something young man with Down syndrome who owns his own restaurant called Tim’s Place in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He’s the only restaurant owner in the country with Down syndrome, has a contagious joie de vivre that’s rare. He’s been on my mind this week for a few reasons. But first, if you haven’t seen this short two minute video, you gotta take just a minute to watch and get to know Tim. You’ll be mesmerized, amazed, inspired. I’ve probably watched this video ten times in the past few years. Every time I smile, lose a few happy tears.
Tim serves breakfast, lunch and hugs. My heart soars to see his happy dance on his way in to work. To watch him give his customers those big hugs that make the world go round.
Says Tim, “The hugs are way more important than the food. The food… is just food.”
So Tim’s actually been crying some in the last few weeks. Why? It was just announced on CBS National News that after five successful years in business, Tim’s closing his restaurant. And he’s already missing his customers. That’s why he’s crying. But he’s losing the restaurant because he found true love. Tim and Tiffany met at a Down syndrome conference and he’s just asked her to be his bride. Yup, they’re tying the knot. Tim’s getting married and moving to Denver. Hopes to open a new restaurant there.
But if you have a minute more, you can’t miss this next short clip as Tim waits for Tiffany at the airport. No spoiler alert here, but just WOW! There are no words.
Tim seems to understand what true love is all about: sacrifice.
The interviewer asks Tim what he sees when he looks into Tiffany’s eyes.
Tim replies: “I see love. I see joy. I see that I have a future.” Again, no words friends.
I loved sharing this post today. Just to Make You Smile. Hope I succeeded. Have a beautiful weekend!
(If you’re new here, I post recipes during the week and muse on the weekends. Thanks for dropping by.)
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Simone says
Such a great read! I am bawling! It is so incredible how real and how free people with Down syndrome are…we can learn so much from them! They are a rare jewel in the midst of such brokenness and hate.
Allie says
Many thanks Simone. Jon and I were both crying during that second clip. xo
Leslie says
I thoroughly enjoyed this post! I love that Tim said that we are a gift to the rest (of us).. I love and envy that his feelings are so pure and without the trappings of today’s “society norms” of what is and is not proper or acceptable… I love that despite (or because of) Tim’s limitations he is free…..
Allie says
Leslie, thanks so much. You summed it up beautifully. Yeah, Tim is definitely free, he is himself, and pulls it all off with great confidence. Thanks for dropping by, I really appreciate your comment.
Aunt Pinkie says
What a lovely story! I pray that Tim will be able to open his own Tim’s Place in Denver! Thanks for sharing this amazing story, Allie! 🙂
Allie says
Nothing would surprise me with Tim… Thanks for dropping by Aunt Pinkie!
Dorothy Dennehy says
So Allie just finished the tears. I did see the CBS program & have seen Tim before. So Inspiring. & I think of Liam et all. I am constantly amazed. Yes– as Hudson so forgiving. How much we learn & also there is an immense hopefulness for all of us.
Thank you——-Dottie–so love the story of Tim.
Allie says
Yes, I think of Liam too. He has to be one of the gentlest souls I’ve ever met. He calls me “Charlie’s mom”, and I love it. Thanks so much for dropping by, Dottie. xo
Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek says
Sniff, Sniff.
You did it again. Crying on a Saturday morning is becoming normal.
I’m so glad Tim found Tiffany.
Everyone should have someone they love enough to make such a big change.
Enjoy the weekend,
Karen
Allie says
I think it was Tim and Tiffany that did it this time, not me. And I was crying right along with you, Karen. Quite a story of sacrificial love.
Christy Smith says
Thank you. It’s always great to hop on your blog but today especially. Luke and I loved the videos and accompanying story!
Allie says
Oh I’m so glad you and Lukey enjoyed it. I see he is working on his valentines!!! So fun, such great memories sitting at the kitchen table making valentines with my brothers and sisters. XOXO
Carina says
You made me smile and tear up at the same time. 🙂 wonderful post. I remember the original one, so it is interesting to read about how life is going for Tim. Beautiful post, Allie. Xoxo
Allie says
Thank you for the kind words, friend. I honestly couldn’t believe it when I heard his restaurant was closing and so I had to investigate and this is what I found. Sure hope things will go wonderfully for both of them and he will be able to open his restaurant again in Denver.
Susie Mandel says
I LOVE the story about Tim’s Place and had seen it before but hadn’t seen the story about his fiancée. How wonderful! It was so beautiful to hear the reporter ask, “Why do we call them disabled?” I’m so happy for them. And I cannot leave my comments without saying how much I love your story about Hudson. Another share! 🙂
Allie says
Thank you Susie, I couldn’t believe it when I heard his restaurant was closing. It’s heartbreaking to see him grieving the loss of the restaurant and yet somehow so beautiful that he is willing to make the sacrifice. Yeah I loved that reporter’s comment too. Hope things go great for them, I’m sure there will be a lot of adjustments. Miss you. xo
Kellie says
I read this and then had to wait a few minutes to be able to see through the tears to type. This was so beautiful. Your story about Hudson started the tears. What an amazing mom you are. Then the story of Tim. I love what the reporter said after Tim told him what he saw when he looked into his girlfriend’s eyes…”why do we call them disabled?” To be able to express love and see love and know how to love and how to forgive is so whole. Nothing is missing at all in their hearts. Not one thing.
Allie says
awwww…thank you Kellie, we’re all doing our best at this mom thing. One day at a time. And some days are better than others. I loved what the reporter said too. It really sums it up. And speaking of amazing moms, thought you might recognize this one in this post: http://throughherlookingglass.com/surprised-by-grace/ XO
Karla @SmallTownRambler says
I remember this story, and showing it to Ethan since he dreams of becoming a chef someday. Tim’ s story really encouraged him. I am so glad to see an update about him and so happy for him that he has found love with Tiffany. I did cry though…gosh, that has to be hard for him to leave. And how quickly those incidents can happen with our kids, like it did with Hudson. Here you were trying to keep him safe and help him by removing the snow from his shoes, and that happens. I remember years ago, when Ethan was a baby and I kept him right by my side in the grocery cart until I put them away in the car. I wouldn’t strap him in his car seat while I put the groceries and the cart away…nope, he was always right there by my side. One day, we happened to park where the lot was sloped and as I’m putting groceries away, the cart just starts rolling away with my sweet baby in it. I ran after it and stopped it quickly. Anything can happen! I have found that raising kids is just as unpredictable as the days when I worked in law enforcement years ago. lol
Allie says
Oh Karla, thank goodness you caught that cart w/Ethan. Scary seconds for sure. Yeah, I cried over that second clip and I’m just so happy for Tim and Tiffany and that they found each other. And I did NOT know you worked in law enforcement. So interesting….I’m sure you have stories to tell. (!)
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
OMG, LOVE that video! Tim is fabulous and his happy dance definitely made me smile! You always share the most inspirational, uplifting content, Allie! Thanks for sharing this one! You are right, love is about sacrifice… but when you love someone it never FEELS like you are sacrificing anything. This put a small skip in my step today, so thank you for that, doll! Cheers! XO
Allie says
Thanks Cheyanne, you know I loved it too. And you’re right, it’s truly a joy to sacrifice for someone you love, and it doesn’t even feel like a sacrifice. Reminds of O. Henry’s Gift of the Magi. Have a wonderful week, friend! xo
Dawn says
Such a joyful couple, love their story and can’t wait to hear more when he opens a new restaurant in Denver!
thanks for sharing Allie!
xo
Allie says
Awwww….thanks Dawnie, such a sweet story, had to share. Sure hope he gets to open his new restaurant in Denver. Have a great week! xo
Mandi Korn says
What sweet sweet videos and stories, you always know how to bring me to tears. Thanks for sharing