Sweet Kisses Bring Sadness

How can sweet kisses passed between two young, adorable children bring a mother's heart such sadness? Tonight our friends were over and their three year old leaned forward to give Emma a kiss and she leaned forward to return it. When the two kissed my heart just melted. The little guy just giggled and did it again. It was so cute, but hurt my heart. As this young, sweet little guy kissed Emma he did it out of pure love for a friend. But yet, I realized that one day people will stop looking at my child as a sweet young thing and instead as a person living with Down syndrome. I certainly hope this little guy isn't one of them, but I never expected that sweet innocent moments like this one could create such a hurt, ache in my heart. Oh, if only the world could look at others the way a child can. A child sees a playmate, someone who likes to have fun, someone who laughs at him, someone who smiles and waves when he enters the room...this child sees a friend named Emma. One day though I know Emma's friends will see the difference between them and her. I only hope they continue to see Emma too.