In the realm of a unique journey,
A life painted with vibrant hues,
I grew up as an only child,
Bathed in a spoiling embrace,
Yet tethered to a tale untold.

Raised by a married single mother,
Her strength woven like silk,
A Chinese-Asian warrior,
Her love an unyielding shield,
She embraced me in her tender arms.

But my father, a ghostly figure,
Emotionally absent, a phantom's presence,
A void echoed through my heart,
A puzzle never solved,
Leaving echoes of unanswered questions.

Diagnosed with Down Syndrome,
Since the very first breath I took,
A label etched upon my soul,
But neither chains nor limitations,
Could shackle my spirit's flight.

In the vast tapestry of existence,
I danced to an inner symphony,
A melody of resilience,
A cadence of unyielding hope,
Unfolding my wings, despite the odds.

I soared above the limitations,
That society tried to impose,
Anchored by a mother's love,
Nurtured by her unwavering belief,
In my inherent worth and potential.

For in the grand theater of life,
The size of one's spirit is immeasurable,
And within the depths of my being,
I carried the universe's vastness,
Expanding beyond the boundaries of "normal."

I am a testament to the human spirit,
A beacon of light in the darkest nights,
My journey, a testament to resilience,
A testament to the power of love,
A tapestry woven with threads of triumph.

So let the world bear witness,
To the beauty of diversity,
For I, in this grand tapestry,
Embrace my own unique colors,
A masterpiece, large and profound.

-Laura So

© LauraGemini