Three seems to be a magic number in our world today. We have three primary colors, three meals a day, and three trimesters to a pregnancy. We stop, drop and roll, we have morning, noon and night, and everything has a beginning, middle and end.
Biblically, three is also a very significant number which represents completeness. We have the Trinity, the holy family and the three books of wisdom. Jesus rose on the third day, there were three wise men, and we have three archangels. The list goes on and on.
Three is also responsible for the condition of Down Syndrome in giving a third chromosome 21. Therefore, March 21st is known as World Down Syndrome Day.
There is a Latin phrase: Omne trium perfectum: “Everything that comes in threes is perfect.” This is very fitting as it is said that individuals with Down Syndrome are imperfectly perfect. Spend time with the Down Syndrome community and you will understand. These individuals are so much more than their diagnoses, they are catalysts, superheroes and teachers.
Anne will tell you her sister Joycie is a catalyst. Growing up in a family of eight kids, taking care of her sister Joycie was in large part her responsibility. It is what motivated her to become a special education teacher. Anne’s mother encouraged her to marry her husband Joe, solely based on witnessing the kind and gentle way he treated Joycie. Anne and Joe would later take care of Joycie for 7 years, and it is to Joycie Anne credits with teaching her children patience. “They called her helpless, but she was the one helping me.”
Casey will tell you that her daughter Sammy is a superhero. “Sammy will make you feel like the most important person in the room.” She will shower you with compliments and give you her undivided attention. Sammy also possesses unsurpassed empathy. She will listen, give hugs, or simply be with you. Best of all is her smile. People often tell Casey that a smile from Sammy can turn their whole day around.
Shelley will tell you that her son Joshua is a teacher. “As much as I help him, he helps me be a better person.” It is through the eyes of her son that Shelley has learned life’s most beautiful lessons. Such as acceptance of all humans, love without limitations, and the joy that comes from a pure and honest heart.
During the year of 2014, I knew three women, all 28-years-old, who gave birth to babies with Down Syndrome. At the time this was surprising to me because statistically it is highly unlikely for a woman under the age of 30, to have a child with Down Syndrome. However, nine years ago, I didn’t understand the power of threes. God doesn’t make mistakes. God knew what he was doing. It is not a coincidence that the number three is at the root of this phenomenon. God was blessing these families with completeness. We all know three is a lucky number and as they say in the Down Syndrome community, these families are “the lucky few.”