Wedding Day.
When I was thin.
I got over it.
Today I’m responding to the prompt: I used to think (but I don’t anymore).
Here are five that came to mind.
Walking the Thin Line:
I used to think it would be better for me to be dead than have any fat on my body.
Since then,…bad news and good news.
Oh boy, do I have fat on my bones.
But glad to be alive. 🙂
Learning the Hard Way:
I used to think our legal system had some semblance of/or consideration of/ “common sense,” also that the “little guy “ had some systemic protection against endless allegations that are merely for the sake of harassment. I don’t anymore.
About Other Parents:
I used to think advocate families of people Ds were all aggressively- hyper-conservative politically and religiously. Since opening up to 
the online world, I’ve been delighted to meet advocates across religious/political spectrums and cultural backgrounds.
I’ve found several whose belief systems are similar to mine. Huh. Who knew?
I’ve mixed with families with convictions across the spectrum. I’ve learned new perspectives. I’ve expanded my own.
The Future:
I used to think Marcus would never have his own apartment. I don’t anymore. There are a variety of supported options that will likely make this possible. Neither he nor I are ready right now. And it’s increasingly clear he’ll be ready before I will, so on we prepare for the possibilities.
About Art:
I used to think a person had to be “published” to be a “real writer.” I don’t anymore. That’s baloney. That said, a person just telling me they want to write a book, and want to share their great ideas, is also not a writer. Writers write. Artists create. When you create something, you’re real enough all day long.
##
Thanks to my Finish the Sentence Friday peeps for the prompt. You can join in, too. In the comments or link up here and tell us, what did you “used to think?”
Next weekend we’re responding to the photo “Open Door.”
I especially liked your third ‘used to think’ in it’s acknowledgement of the special quality of the online world. Perhaps its merely a numbers thing, I find people I can identify with simple because there is such great supply of participants in this world. But I betcha there is more to it than that…. we find (if we are willing to take the chance) the worlds that we would find… being virtual just puts it (them) in more close proximity.
…we still gots to type. lol
Enjoyed your FTSF
Your last line gave me a huge smile “all day long.” I used to think I had to be super skinny too. I don’t (obviously) any longer. I’m glad for both of us on that. Interesting that your initial perspective of advocates for DS were conservative. I suppose it’s partly because my exposure to all advocates for any differing abilities/needs is more robust online, which means writers, and so often writers share my views. Anyway, I’m glad you’ve found more people more closely aligned to you over the years. And wowza to Marcus having his apartment – that’s wonderful (and sad because hello, empty nest stuff is sad but also good I suppose, right?). So lovely that you linked up!
Madra, I have a 9 year old son with autism, ADHD, SPD and a seizure disorder. I wonder if he will ever drive, have a girlfriend, be truly independent. He’s proven he’s smart just so innocent and unaware. I don’t know if I’ll ever be at ease letting him go (be an adult). He’s my everything. It gives me hope to know that your son has achieved things you thought might not be possible. Thanks for writing so openly.
I’m glad you’re alive, too.
And the other 4? I couldn’t agree more.
Thanks for inviting me to join in in #FTSF… it *is* a nice group and the writers are first rate… xoxox
🙂 And glad you’re here!
I used to think I would never meet another mother who had a child born with Down syndrome (1966) but then I finally did in 1971.
I used to think doctors knew everything. Ha!
Yeahhh – Double HA! to that.
Thanks for stopping and glad to have met you all these years later!
As one of those decidedly NOT “aggressively- hyper-conservative politically and religiously” I’m extremely glad you opened your life to new things. 😀 As for the rest – I’m glad you’re you!
Interesting that you advocate families would all share a particular view…I’ve never had reason to think about that. But I’m happy you discovered lots of different-minded folks who have a united goal of advocating their children and children everywhere.
On a lighter note, skinny is overrated and not nearly as fun as cookies;)