from Boston, where this year’s National Down Syndrome Congress Convention was held. There is so much to share: so many memories, like meeting people from the Internet who always felt like old friends, but now they really do, since I can put a name to a face. Holding the most beautiful babies. The way the salty sea air felt soft and smelled so clean; the way the lights of the city twinkled against the glass of the hotel room.
I have 3 favorite moments: meeting Emily Perl Kingsley in person, watching Rebecca and Amy and Renee and everyone hand out free copies of Road Map in the exhibit area (it was so fun, like Christmas in July!) and the awards banquet Saturday night, when Road Map won the 2008 National Media Award-Print. I made some sort of little speech that I’m sure was incoherent, because the whole time I was trying very hard not to cry.
There’s so much I want to remember! But right now I can’t seem to stop kissing my 3 boys, and when they wriggle away from me or “Oh, Mom” me, I am unbelievably content just staring at them, as if I’ve been gone for years.
20 responses so far ↓
Jordan // July 14, 2008 at 2:19 am |
Wow, congratulations on the award! You so truly deserve it.
And next week: BlogHer! Can’t wait to meet you there.
Mom24 // July 14, 2008 at 2:55 am |
Congrats on the award. You do truly deserve it. I wish I were going to BlogHer so I could meet you. You seem absolutely wonderful from your book and the website. I will always remember your book so that I can recommend it to friends and acquaintances. I think it has a really important message.
kristen // July 14, 2008 at 4:49 am |
Yay, you!!!! What a wonderful honor and I am so happy for you. See you soon!!
Christina // July 14, 2008 at 8:52 am |
WOHOO!!!
Congrats on the award! So wish I was there!
Anne // July 14, 2008 at 11:16 am |
Congratulations on the award! Hooray for you!
Christine // July 14, 2008 at 1:18 pm |
Congrats on the award, wish I could have been there to see you receive. Looking forward to hearing more about your adventures in Boston.
Special Needs Mama // July 14, 2008 at 2:52 pm |
OH MY GOODNESS. Way to GO!!! You must be on cloud nine.
Michelle // July 14, 2008 at 2:52 pm |
oh your speech was perfect. I SO enjoyed meeting you. I could see you were so overwhelmed by everything, but you handled it beautifully. I know it sounds silly, but I was SO proud of you. And finally getting to hug you was the highlight of my day. Enjoy your boys while they’re small, I came home to pretty much teenagers heading out the door, see ya later Mom.
stacy // July 15, 2008 at 12:10 am |
Congratulations on the award! One day I am going to make it to one of these conventions. Enjoy cuddling those boys!
Beth // July 15, 2008 at 3:03 am |
Congratulations Jennifer! That is so great! I wish I had been there to meet you in person and hear your speech, which I’m sure was wonderful.
Maybe next year in Sacremento?
McKenna // July 15, 2008 at 4:41 am |
I loved saying “hello” to you Saturday night!! I am bummed my children carried me off and I didn’t get to spend more time talking to you!! You’ll be in Sacramento, won’t you? Will you pencil me in sometime then? LOL!
Niksmom // July 15, 2008 at 12:49 pm |
I’m so proud of you, my friend! What a lovely experience you must have had; I just know you touched many hearts with your words.
Now I am even MORE disappointed that I will not be at BlogHer!!
killlashandra // July 15, 2008 at 5:19 pm |
Going away and coming back is an amazing experience. I felt like that when I left my kids for 9 days last summer. They were with my parents and when I got back it felt like they had grown inches while I was gone.
Glad the trip went so well!
Rebecca // July 16, 2008 at 1:11 am |
You were amazing. It was so nice to finally meet you. I saw a few of those moments where your eyes turned red, and your voice had just the tiniest little shake, but all in all you were fabulous!!!
I’m so thankful for the weekend!
terri // July 16, 2008 at 1:47 am |
I was so excited to meet you! And congratulations on your award–you were not incoherent at all! It was a wonderful event and it is good to be home. I am already looking forward to Sacramento.
Amy // July 16, 2008 at 4:41 am |
you know what? one of my favorite moments of the conference was handing your books out too!! i felt like i was apart of something so so special! thank you!
there is more on my blog!
Michelle // July 17, 2008 at 1:46 am |
congrats on the award – you definitely deserve it! It was such a pleasure meeting you! I wish I could have had some more time to just sit and chat with you, but I know you had a busy schedule
Thank you for all you do for the Down syndrome community!
Cate // July 17, 2008 at 2:21 pm |
Oh, congratulations! That’s such excellent news. And you definitely deserve it.
Jan // July 17, 2008 at 6:06 pm |
You were great! I went to say hello after the banquet but was run over by a bull (where did THAT come from?) and didn’t get to you. I got to hug Kathryn (GIFTS) and thanked her for thanking those of us that contributed and I understand about the tears, as they flew out from me too.
Congrats!
Christine Graf // July 18, 2008 at 2:28 pm |
Congratulations! I am so happy that you and “Road Map” received the 2008 National Media Award !!! The book is a beautiful and moving testimony to the experience of loving a child with special needs, and I am so proud of you! Bravo!!!