Always Happy?

So there is a statement that is often made about children with Down syndrome that is often corrected.  That is "they are always so happy".  And the retort is that they have a full range of emotions just like everybody else.  And you know what?  Both are true.  It is true that we should not belittle the humaness of any person by saying they are always anything...especially something like happy that could be perceived as indicating that they aren't capable of any other emotion.

 However...it is generally true!  People with Down syndrome seem to often have, not so much an always happy disposition, but rather they are blessed with a greater capacity for happiness than the rest of us.

I'm not sure what it is about that extra chromosome, but there is just pure joy in every experience, every relationship, every...well everything.  Perhaps it is one of those more work=more reward things.  Perhaps there is less of a filter with the world.  Perhaps it is just a blessing bestowed upon the chromosomaly gifted.  Don't get me wrong...Reagan can throw a temper tantrum with the best of them (remind me to get a video of the slow evolution of a happy face turning pouty!),  but in general this girl has a smile more contagious than yawns. ;)