The Odds of Allison

There have been many times throughout our journey that John and I have said to each other, “We couldn’t have imagined that if we tried.” Similarly, there have been a few events/meetings/experiences that are hard to put into words even after they’ve occurred…they’re just that incredible. On the top of that list will always be Allison.

A few weeks before traveling north out of Arizona in the spring of 2023, we decided to go to Zion National Park. (I say, “we decided” as if it had anything to do with us. Looking back, it was completely and only the Lord.) We’d been through Utah before but this time, I really wanted to be parked inside Zion instead of an hour away like the last time we’d visited.

If you’ve ever tried to book a site inside a popular national park, then you know that attempting to get a spot a few weeks before you plan on going is almost pointless. In this case though, we had help.

While in our campground in AZ, a man out for a walk started chatting with us at our site. The conversation turned to national parks which then led to our hope to return to Zion. That’s when he gave us information about a website that helps people get National Park reservations by checking cancellations. We signed up and had our spot reserved within a few days. Zion, here we come

On the third day of our stay, as our family was walking back to our site after a hike, Max ran ahead with our then new dog, Obi. As we returned, we saw a person talking to Max. (It’s common, in campgrounds, for people to strike up conversations as they walk by.)

The girl talking to Max turned to me as I approached and started talking. No famous person could have made me as giddy as Allison did when she introduced herself. I stared at her as she talked, looking at all of the facial markers that our own daughter has. Allison has Rubenstein-Taybi Syndrome just like Ava.

Hesitating, I thought about how to carefully broach this sensitive subject with Allison’s mom. Two seconds later, I made a bee-line for her and blurted out, “Hi, my name’s Davaughn. Does your daughter have Rubinstein-Taybi???”

The look on her face will forever live with me. As will the long tearful hug we gave each other after she answered me with a questioning, “Yes…?” And I replied, “Mine too.”

A million shared experiences and emotions were transferred in that hug. I didn’t want to let go. With tears in our eyes we introduced our daughters who became friends instantly.

The Lord lavished His love upon us when He allowed Allison to walk into our campsite. But He didn’t stop there—He gave us her family, too. Her dad, Steven, and John became fast friends. Her younger sister and Jane were joined at the hip for the rest of the camping trip and continue to understand each other in unique ways. And her mom—oh my word, her mom—everyone needs a Jen in their life; a precious, mighty, gregarious cheerleader of a friend who loves Jesus and life with contagious fierceness. She is a gift to me in so many ways.

There are less than 5000 people in the U.S. with Rubenstien-Taybi Syndrome. And one of them walked into our campsite. We certainly couldn’t have imagined that if we tried.