Good Friends

Sam and Bobby Baird have been best friends FOREVER!!! I mean, really, forever. And, through them our families have also become very close. We've shared a lot of experiences with them, including the births of all 6 of our combined children (most of them are Lizzy and Bobby's)!!!
Anyway, Lizzy and Bobby were among our first visitors to the NICU and Lizzy was the one we called when we got Logan's diagnosis. We asked Lizzy to spread the word and I'm pretty sure she called every single person we had ever met. I'm not sure what she said to them, but I know it was the "right" thing because NO ONE ever told us they were "sorry" about the diagnosis. Knowing Lizzy she was able to point out the positive and explain to people that God had given us this child for a reason. I am eternally grateful to her for that. I think she's a big reason why Logan was so immediately accepted into our world as a gift. Now she has written this beauitful piece for Logan's blog and, again, I'm grateful to her. Lizzy, you are a wonderful, wonderful person. I so look forward to raising our kids together!!! Thank you so much for all your support!!

By Lizzy Baird:

As I sat down to reflect on “Logan James”, as our children often refer to him, images of a smiling, happy boy flooded my thoughts. Logan is such a remarkable little boy. His smile is contagious. He certainly turns heads in public and I often hear people comment on how adorable he is. Logan, though still very young, has taught us so very much already.

My husband, Bobby, and I have known Sam and Katie as a couple for over 15 years and Sam and Bobby have been the best of friends since they were 5. In all of those years I have never been more proud of them than the day we visited Sam, Katie and newborn Logan in the NICU at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Logan had only been born a day or two prior and many questions remained unanswered. A lot of medical information was being offered but nothing was confirmed. Amazingly, Sam and Katie greeted us with smiles on their faces. Even though there was great worry and fear in the back of their minds, they still moved forward. There was a small waiting room for families to gather just outside of the NICU. On this particular morning, that room was overcrowded with members from the Hudson and Anderson families. Even though no medical diagnosis had been given to Logan, the support system between Sam and Katie and their two families had begun. In the days, weeks, months, and years that have followed, I have never once seen a weakness in this support system.

When Logan was finally diagnosed with Down Syndrome, Sam and Katie embraced it. They researched as much as they could. They knew that they loved their little angel and would do anything they could for him. They are their son’s biggest advocates. In the years that have followed, Sam and Katie, have pulled their loved ones into being advocates for Logan as well. Every year Logan’s Heroes jump into the icy waters at the Polar Bear Plunge, raising money for the Special Olympics. Logan’s Ladies was formed this year for a 4-mile run/ 2-mile walk to raise money for the Kennedy Krieger Institute Down Syndrome Clinic and local Down Syndrome parent support groups. These two teams have been among the top fundraising teams in both events!

Logan has taught Sam and Katie the meaning of unconditional love. He has taught them how to be good parents. He has taught them what it means to be selfless. He even prepared them for Maddie! Logan has taught Sam and Katie how to be leaders and advocates for others.

Down Syndrome is not something to be feared. It is not something to look down upon or be sad about. In fact, as people have mentioned in previous entries, Sam and Katie view Down Syndrome as a blessing. How amazing is it to know that God chose Sam and Katie to be the parents of Logan James? Not everyone could handle a child with special needs with as much grace, passion, and love as Sam and Katie. God thinks so highly of Sam and Katie- He knew how great they would be and He chose the two of them specifically to bring Logan into this world and care for him.

So yes, Logan has taught us all a lot of things. But I think the greatest lesson he can teach us is how precious life is and how wonderful life must be to see only the good in people. Imagine what the world would be like if we all viewed it through Logan’s eyes.

“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-6