I cried today... in Publix

One of my favorite things about Down syndrome is meeting others whose lives have been touched by someone they love with Down syndrome.  I am approached more often than you'd think by others who want to tell me about their experience with Ds.  Sometimes it's a quick encounter like the night we went to Opryland to take the photo for our holiday card last month when a lady (in passing) said to us, "You have an angel too.  My uncle is an angel."   Sometimes you're approached by the aunt of a little one with Ds to tell you that you have a sweet little group (three families having lunch out) and after a couple of questions, you find out that you know the little girl.  Sometimes, the encounters last a little longer and touch a little deeper and make you cry. 

This evening my encounter happened between the meat and seafood departments in Publix.  An employee approached to say hi to Etta (as they often do, many of them know her name).  This was my first encounter with this guy from the meat department, but he talked to Etta and told me about his brother who had Down syndrome.  His name was Richard and he passed away a few years ago at the age of 49. The man pulled out a small yellowed photo of his late brother that he kept in his wallet. We stood there in front of the sushi display for a while talking about how Down syndrome made us better people and I cried.  I hugged this man, whose name I have aldready forgotten and he hugged me back.  A real hug and a kiss on the cheek and a "God Bless You" and I was on my way to pick out a pot roast and some paper towels.  But the encounter will be remembered.