Melody (full Trisomy 18) appears to understand things in a way that never ceases to amaze me. One illustration of Melody’s understanding is that she loves to read chapter books! Her love of reading, in fact, is insatiable.
When we took the Doman training many years ago, we learned how essential it is for Melody to crawl in order to make brain connections. One of the instructors at the Doman Institute told me one time that Melody would someday be motivated to crawl for books. At the time, it seemed like a nice idea, but now it is a reality.
We think she knows how to read, but she has a cataract which makes reading small print more challenging. Thus her preference is that we read the chapter books to her. For a girl who cannot talk, she sure knows how to communicate those preferences. She frequently crawls over to her books, picks one up, opens it, sits up, and waves it in the air – whatever it takes to let us know in her sweet Melody way that she would like someone to read to her.
Her attention span for reading is extraordinary. One day her sister had read to her for an inordinate amount of time. She noted that it was to the point her voice was getting hoarse. She got up to get some water. Sure enough Melody crawled after her with book in hand.
One day her sister asked her to choose between two books to read. One of her options was the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. She clearly chose that one over the other, simpler book. You would not expect a non-verbal child to love a book consisting of theological allegory and themes with depth and complexity, but she loved it! She got through the first book of the series in a few days. Needless to say, her sister ordered the whole set which delighted her heart.
Melody has intellectual understanding and appears to understand spiritual principles at a deep level as well. One day I was reading The Tanglewood’s Secret to Melody. I got to the part of the book where the little girl learns about the Good Shepherd from a shepherd. Melody’s face lit up. She loved that part of the book! I played a song with the words from Psalm 23 which talks about how the Lord is our Shepherd. She loved that too. I asked her if she knew that she was the Good Shepherd’s little lamb. Her countenance spoke volumes. I don’t really know how to describe it. She clearly understood this concept at a profound level.
Since then, any time I talk to Melody about being the Good Shepherd’s little lamb she lights up and clearly communicates her depth of understanding.
The Good Shepherd has cared for his little lamb Melody in countless ways. He has provided wisdom at every turn for her life. He has loved her, comforted her, cared for her every need. He has been faithful to His little lamb.
Melody is a trusting little girl. She trusts that all her needs will be met. She doesn’t fret, fear, or demand her rights. She understands resting in her Good Shepherd’s tender care of her. When her dad carries her to her bed each night, she lays her little head on his shoulders and sighs a contented sigh. She can rest in her daddy’s strength knowing that he will get her safely to bed. She knows she is always loved and that all her needs will be met. She understands rest and trust.
One thing that helps Melody understand the concept of the Good Shepherd is that her life does not lend itself to proud self-reliance. She understands dependency. The Good Shepherd has worked through Melody to teach me more about depending on Him, abiding in Him, and resting in Him. I am thankful for the opportunity Melody’s life has afforded me to draw ever closer to the Good Shepherd and to know Him better.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
Comments 20
Amazing article!
Thank you tor sharing.
Love and blessings to ALL!
Jean
Love Melody’s life stories. What an amazing lamb of God she is. These children carry God’s message of love and complete trust to the world.
Thank you for sharing your family story again
I loved Gods words you added
So Thankful for Melody growing and understanding the Bible
She is a Blessing
Sweet, precious Melody. She loves to move her chair thru the crowd at church to whoever she wants to go see at the moment. She definitely has her favorites. She loves Kelera picking her up and loving on her. She adores her family ( especially her sisters and brother)! She always has such a beautiful smile on her little face. That’s wonderful that she can understand and enjoy the books you guys read to her! She is such a special little girl and I am so glad we have had the privilege of getting to know her more since you guys have been at our church! Thk u for sharing her story with us.
I love these updates every time. They bring joy, peace and a delight in the deep goodness of our Father. His faithfulness is beautiful and it shines in each of you. Thank you and we love you all.❤️
Melody! We always knew you were so smart! Even at a young age doing your number dots you were amazing! Keep up the great work! Good thing you have so many sisters to read to you! ❤️
Oh, the wonders of being read to! Melody’s sister is so wonderful to engage this way. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, it set me to wondering: is part of the appeal the sound of her sister’s voice? Does Melody react similarly no matter who reads aloud to her? If her sister’s voice recorded herself reading a particular book and another person sat with her, would the effects be similar? The enjoyment as full? What about having Melody listen to an audiobook that has more than one person reading? The possibilities seem endless. It is sensational that Melody loves literature and is showing preferences!
Beautiful…plain and simple! I think we all feel safe enough to fall asleep on Our Father’s shoulder.
What a sweet update on Melody ! I love reading of what new & exciting things you’re discovering in Melody & her obvious understanding as being a special lamb in The Shepherd’s loving Care…You all have modeled that love & care to her so beautifully all her life, & in His infinite mercy & love, HE has given her that special understanding of whose she is as A child of A Heavenly Shepherd ❤ Love & Blessings to you all.
What a precious Sweetie!! She’s a testimony of God’s unconditional love for us!
What a precious chapter in a beautiful little life!
Thank you for sharing your stories about Melody and all of your children. God Bless you all.
Melody is so beautiful. Her smile, her spirit, her love for others. Your family opens up everything to Melody through books, trips, your faith and especially your wholehearted love.
Melody is extremely intelligent. Her communication skills with others is incredible. She knows what she wants, and she knows how to get it!
God’s Spirit shines through this remarkable young lady.
Love to your family.
Precious little lamb! Thank you for strengthening my faith in Melody’s good Shepherd! She pictures a life of trust even while being unable to articulate all the reasons. That simple faith is just what God asks of us all.
So beautiful! Hugs to each of you. God is so good and you are wonderful instruments of His love.
Wow…..we love hearing Melody’s story…..we’ve always said….God knew the absolute BEST family to send Melody to!!! We have all been blessed by sweet Melody…..love hearing about all she has accomplished & will continue to accomplish….all with God’s help!!! What an amazing story…..just memorized I Cor 1: 18-31…..how God takes the “foolish” things of this world….to shame the wise!! Melody is such an example of this!!!! We love you all!!!
Thank you for sharing more of Melody’s story. It helps me understand how I can better communicate with her. What a precious gift she is!
I am so inspired by Melody and your family’s story. I am amazed by the way you all live out your faith and show God’s love
What a precious little missionary sent from the Lord! The lessons to be learned from her little life are surely of utmost importance. Many blessings to you and your family as you daily love and care for your sweet little daughter. Together you are all helping to bring such Godly light and truth to our world.
Thank you for continuing to update us on sweet Melody. I praise the Lord for His goodness for giving Melody a loving family!! It blesses my heart to hear how much she loves books! Each one is an adventure – taking us to places we’re not able to go and filling us with the beauty of language.
Happy New Year, Melody!!