The Vest

I rushed out the door to work the other night and grabbed a vest.  It was my 2002 IHC vest from our Idaho/Utah days. I had forgotten that there was an emblem of the paralympics on the lapel until a clerk at the checkout stand brought it up to me when I was buying milk on my way to work.
"Did you see the paralympics?" he said. "That must have been something else!"
"You, know, at the time the paralympics were the only sporting events we could get tickets to at the last minute.  I was surprised that the hockey game I saw was the most inspiring sporting event I witnessed in my lifetime.  One guy only had an upper half, his lower half was completely gone.  When he came out on the ice in his sled, the crowd roared! I do not know if I have ever heard a more enthusiastic crowd in my life."
"I wish I could have seen that!" the guy behind the counter said.
As I got into my car, I was suddenly grateful to have had that moment brought back to my mind.  Sometimes it is easy to feel pity for people with disabilities and a lot easier, as a mother to focus on their problems. I forget what a source of courage and strength they bring to others.

Yesterday when Sydney was so relaxed and "aware" of not only her disabilities, but her limits, a huge burden was lifted.  I assumed she lacked self-awareness and insight.  When I approached my dad about his apparent difficulties,last year, I got a similar response, "SO WHAT, I know I am different...but the thing you have to remember, Coley, is God can still use different and sometimes prefers different." I was blown away by his response and I was blown away by Sydney with her sweet smile and spirit. "Yes, I know, mom, BUT it's OK" And then maybe the unspoken should be..."Can you have faith, mom that I am different, but God can still use different and sometimes prefers different?" After I think of ALL the people my dad and my girls have touched in small, loving ways from the neighbor dad let live in our camper when he was down on his luck to the lab tech that wished Sydney could come back in for weekly blood draws just so she could see her, I know I am surrounded by greatness

I am going to say, "Yes, it is going to be

OK"

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