Macy in the Sky with Rainbows by Lillian Darnell

July 10 2018:

Somewhere in the vast blue sky between Baltimore and Vegas; Lillian showed me something she had typed in her phone.

After I read it, a lump formed in my throat as sweat pooled in my eyes … Once I was able to speak, I suggested she expand it and create a story. I could tell it meant so very much to her and that this came straight from her heart. May this touch your heart and shine of the love of friendship and the love of nature.

With permission, here’s what she wrote: “Sometimes I hope Macy will travel on an airplane one day in the future so Macy could see how beautiful the sky is in the air. Maybe she could be able to see a circular rainbow or better yet a spectacular sunset, sunrise, or both if that day comes (I hope it does … )”

Here’s the story; which she wrote right then and there during the flight:

Hey, everyone! I wrote this story on July 5th inspired by a daydream I had for a year. The character’s name is based on Macy Miller (a close 18p- friend of mine). I hope you enjoy!

Once long ago, there lived a young girl named Macy Helens who was afraid to fly on an airplane. One day though, her parents who were named Hannah and William announced that they were going on a family vacation but they needed to take an airplane to their destination.

Hannah had made a smart decision to use this vacation to help Macy get over her fears of flying. So Macy was scared but she knew she had to overcome her fears eventually. So Macy agreed to go. They left the next morning.

First, they went through TFA (The Fairy Association which is similar to TSA) and Macy wasn’t even scared but she was proud of herself. Macy handled the searching for a gate number, waiting, and the walking quite easily. The hardest thing was getting on the plane but she told herself not to look down.

It worked perfectly. Once they were about to take off, Macy was afraid of the steep incline that what she did was look out the window for familiar sights. Macy saw circular rainbows, a beautiful sunset, and a gorgeous sunrise as well. She was very impressed. Finally, their flight landed and Macy was very happy and proud.

She Did It! The 2018 Chromosome Conference – Baltimore Maryland

Lillian faced many fears and had many firsts this year at conference. Each year, each conference she makes wonderful progress! Go Lillian Go!!

Not to mention a FIRST of selling and autographing her first published book!! Wahooo!!

Chromosome 18 Conference 2018 Baltimore Maryland 7.1.18 #60 Lillian signing books

July 2 2018:

Lillian just went out to eat with a group of friends. Alone. Like. Without me. FIRST TIME she has joined the self advocates doing anything! YES!!! Hallelujah!!

She typed her order in her phone before leaving so she can show it to the host. I put money in her name badge and texted her instructions for paying her bill after explaining verbally how to pay.

She’s worried. And keeps texting me. Yet, at least she finally took that first step! The hardest one! Wahoo!!

Lillian and Camilla May 2018 Date Day 5.22.18 #9

(This post received 242 likes/loves/wows and 142 comments on facebook. Deep gratitude for everyone cheering for Lillian!)

And the below post announcing the success received 121 likes/loves and 31 comments! Thank you everyone!

Chromosome 18 Conference 2018 Baltimore Maryland 7.2.18 #84

July 3 2018:

Here’s another first!! Lillian has never participated in the self advocate panel!!! Listening. A first step!! Wahooo!!!!

Chromosome 18 Conference 2018 Baltimore Maryland 7.3.18 #85 Lillian text about self advocate panel

July 6 2018:

Fear of escalators: We’ve always had to use the stairs or elevator when Lillian was with us in the past.

No longer! Lillian rode the escalator on Friday, the 29th, at the Reno-Tahoe Airport! She held tight to me and was worried. Yet, she did it! The ultimate goal is to ride the escalator without me beside her. Wahoooooo!!!!xoxo

Lillian Rode the Escalator Post 7.6.18

July 7 2018:

Another fear bites the dust. In the past Lillian has chosen to walk throughout the airport attached to my arm. Not the easiest for me while pulling a carry on bag plus her bag.

When we got to the airport in Baltimore readying to leave, I explained I needed her not to hold onto my arm and to just walk beside me.

After sighing, she said “Okay”. And did just that. Throughout the entire Baltimore, Vegas, and Reno airport!

PLUS! This included the HUGEST fear at the airport ….. The PBB. She walked through the passenger boarding bridge NOT attached to me!!! She stepped from the PBB into the airplane NOT attached to me AND walked the aisle of the airplane NOT attached to me!

Hallelujah!! Ahhhhhhh …. Freedom for both of us!!! (Picture from 2016 – Another first! First time catching air for a photo!)

Damonte Ranch Walk 9.13.16 #4

July 8 2018:

Okay. Here’s the last one …. For this time around … Thank you to everyone for celebrating in our joy of laying to rest some fears and for having many firsts!!

While in the airports on the way back home, Lillian went into the airport restrooms without me!! We went from the first traveling experiences all those years ago of having to travel with post it notes to cover up the automatic flush sensor, to going in alone!! Yes, Yes, Yes!!!

Much gratitude to our friends and family for celebrating these seemingly small, yet HUGE, accomplishments at 16 years old for Lillian!! Wahoooo!!!

Lillian South Valleys Library 9.13.17

Most Fun Day Dreams Come True

July 8 2018:

“I have been trying to make some of my most fun day dreams come true. Some of my daydreams slowly are coming true on their own. 😉

Have you tried making some of your daydreams come true?” -Lillian Darnell, July 6, 2018

(Photo from Lillian’s segment discussing her book on KOLO 8 with Sarah Johns in February 2018)

Lillian and Camilla Kolo 8 Where Would You Fly Book 2.27.18 #5

To learn more about Lillian’s book, go here https:///www.WhereWouldYouFly.com … xoxo

Best Friends – Together Again – 2018 Chromosome 18 Conference in Baltimore

July 1 2018:

Best friends! Together again! Macy Miller and Lillian. Someone asked if they are twins! They both love to laugh and giggle!

Chromosome 18 Conference 2018 Baltimore Maryland 7.1.18 #71 Macy and Lillian

Chromosome 18 Conference 2018 Baltimore Maryland 7.1.18 #81 Macy and Lillian

July 1 2018:

We had dinner with The Miller’s and just look at these two lovelies! The Giggle Duo, indeed! Look how happy they are! Lillian and Macy = Happy to see one another after a year apart!

July 3 2018:

Chromosome 18 Conference 2018 Baltimore Maryland 7.3.18 #88 Camilla Ladies Night and Macy and Lillian

July 4 2018:

Chromosome 18 Conference 2018 Baltimore Maryland 7.4.18 #111 Farewell Dinner & Dance

Chromosome 18 Conference 2018 Baltimore Maryland 7.4.18 #95 Farewell Dinner & Dance

Chromosome 18 Conference 2018 Baltimore Maryland 7.4.18 #115 Farewell Dinner & Dance

Camilla and Lillian Update for Chromosome 18 Conference in Baltimore and the Fundraiser

June 23 2018:

Lillian and I share that Lillian would like to have a birthday party in Baltimore so that she can actually celebrate in person with her best friends.

And we talk about Lillian selling her artwork as a fundraiser … https://lilliandarnell.com/…/fundraising-for-the-2018-chrom…/

Thanks so much everyone! xoxo

 

Happy Day and Happy World and Biggest Little Photographer

June 25 2018:

Oh, Happy Day!!! It was the perfect day to mail a “Happy World” print way, way, way down to da bayou! Happy and joyful gratitude to our helpers!!

We’re in the final stretch! Do you know anyone who would enjoy receiving a Lillian print? The Egyptian Eye, Rainbow of Emotions, Rainbow Balloon, Happy World, or Rainbow Mandala.

Mailing Happy World Print 6.25.18

June 27 2018:

Sunshine directly onto LaRue as I entered to pick up additional copies of Thomas’ book. I’ll take that as a beautiful message. Biggest Little Photographer is headed to Baltimore with us Friday morning. Thanks LeRue Press!

Biggest Little Photographer Book from LeRue 6.27.18 #2 Biggest Little Photographer Book from LeRue 6.27.18 #3 Biggest Little Photographer Books from LeRue 6.27.18 #1

The Uninhibited Imagination – Where Would You Fly

May 26 2018:

Where Would You Fly Book Trailer Slide #6

What a beautiful gift to share with us Stephen! Kindness is a gift and we are grateful for your gift of kindness!! Thank you!!

“What a beautiful gift to share; the uninhibited imagination is a state that most yearn for and Lillian has operated in this world all her life. A true blessing for ALL who immerse themselves in these magical stories. Thank you, Lillian! and Camilla (the mom).” – Stephen, Reno (in regards to the book, “Where Would You Fly”)

Go here to learn more about Where Would You Fly by Lillian Darnell.

Where Would You Fly on the Train from Deventer to Zwolle, The Netherlands

April 11 2018:

Camilla and Lillian Darnell give a quick update on Where Would You Fly and sneak peeks into some of Lillian’s next stories … xoxo

April 12 2018:

Where would you Fly? in the train from Deventer to Zwolle. 😊. Got my copy today and had a great time with Yvon Stokkink. – Jessica Araus

Where Would You Fly Book Jessica on train from Deventer to Zwolle The Netherlands 4.12.18

If you’d like to learn more about the book, go here …. https://www.WhereWouldYouFly.com

 

 

 

You Are Different

**THROWBACK POST**

December 27 2014:

“You’re different than the others.” – Thomas said to me last night.

He said my responses weren’t what people would normally say. Lillian was sticking her tongue out at me and my response was, “What a beautiful, sweet tongue.” and then she tried poking me and I said, “Look at those beautiful, crooked, special little fingers. Aren’t they just amazing?”

She’s got crooked pinky fingers and her ring fingernail is bumpy due to her chromosome deletion. I had been doing that throughout day. Guess it caught his attention. HA!

Celebrate Team TLC – A Family of Authors

March 8 2018:

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. He will put some things behind, will pass an invisible boundary; new, universal, and more liberal laws will begin to establish themselves around and within him; or the old laws be expanded, and interpreted in his favor in a more liberal sense, and he will live with the license of a higher order.” – Henry David Thoreau

What better day to officially celebrate? Here’s to a successful creation and launch of Where Would You Fly and the final book to complete the trio for Team TLC … Definitely not the last!

Where Would You Fly …. Biggest Little Photographer ….. Different iz Good – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance

It reached the Top 100 on the US Amazon site and Top 50 on the UK site. It has flown to Australia, The Netherlands, Northern Ireland, England, and from sea to shining sea in the United States.

She has received the most beautiful and heart warming reviews on Amazon and two bulk orders. And the local Reno Nevada KOLO 8 news segment has been viewed around the world.

This definitely called for a pile of gluten free white powdered donuts! Here’s to pursuing ones calling. Here’s to doing it different. Here’s to stickin with it. Heres to vowing to listen to ones heart. Here’s to us. And, most importantly, here’s to YOU!!! Oceans of love!!

Celebrate Team TLC a Family of Authors 3.8.18 #1 Celebrate Team TLC a Family of Authors 3.8.18 #2 Celebrate Team TLC a Family of Authors 3.8.18 #3 Celebrate Team TLC a Family of Authors 3.8.18 #4 Celebrate Team TLC a Family of Authors 3.8.18 #5