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Day 17

One of the worst words in our language, to me, is the word "normal". What is normal? I'm often consoled by and informed of people's sympathy to our milk-free household. It's perceived that we are not able to have a "normal" diet or do "normal" things. I always seem to receive these comments with a prickly undertone because, in our home, not having milk IS normal. Our normal may not be your normal or anyone else's for that matter. I do not feel like we're missing out on anything as far as not having milk containing substances in the house. Nowadays there are so many GREAT alternatives to everything that keep things safe for Sophia. There's nothing that I just can't live without when it comes to food. For me, peace of mind is my must-have and I don't think it's "normal" to compromise that.

Another reason I don't like the word "normal" is the stigma it leaves on everything in its path. I'd like to show my daughter (by example) how we live a beautifully complete life, missing nothing, in a safe and healthy environment. I truly believe this will give her the tools to do it for herself someday. Labeling her as not "normal" or "different" never helped any cause. Showing her that we all have differences and what is "normal" is that everybody is independently unique. Our family chooses to put attention to the ways we can take moments together, where everyone is included, because what's right should be what's normal.

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