http://news.yahoo.com/mothers-inspiring-video-blind-baby-son-173140041--abc-news-parenting.html
One of the most horrendous things I have ever done was make up a rhyme as a child and sing it to a very dear friend of mine. That doesn't seem so bad, making up a rhyme, but the contents of the rhyme was just awful! I didn't even realize it at the time, but looking back, I am sure it killed the girl's spirit. I truly loved her, and was always so happy to see her in serendipitous places in later years. I was more happy to see her than she was me, most likely.
The 2-line rhyme used her name, and her last name rhymed with tail as in,"stinkin' ole cow's tail." Wow, once I realized this, I immediately tried to find her. I even sent a Christmas card to the last known address only to have it "returned to sender, address unknown."
During my daily obituary reading, I found her. My dear Jonie had died around Christmas time from complications due to diabetes. Oh boy, she never knew how sorry I was for the offense, and I almost sent her family an apology, but thought it might make things worse instead of better for them.
However, my heart is tender. Even during my childhood years, I sensed moments that needed compassion. Rachael was a girl with very dry hands that pealed. I'm thinking allergies because my younger sister had the same thing years later. NO ONE would hold her hand, and I always did. You know little girls, they seem to enjoy holding hands.
Elma was a girl in my class who came from a very poor family. She never had any extra money for juice, so I asked my mom if I could I take an extra nickel so she could have juice. I was so happy that she was just one of the gang drinking juice at recess.
I'm not sharing these things stroke my own ego, but asking you to reflect to determine where you could have done things differently. From those poor choices in how we deal with certain situations, we can grow and be better prepared to handle future situations, just like people who come in contact with Lacey and Christian.
Physical disabilities are just so hard to hide. My dear friend, Lisa, suffers from a congenital defect: she lacks arms and legs. Yet, she is a powerhouse and affectionately known as Taz to those who know and love her. She writes with her feet which are connected by ankles to her hip bones. She is TRULY the most amazing person I have ever known. She drives, has a master's degree, and is retired from a major university after working in the department of disabilities helping others who struggle.
We are fearfully, and wonderfully made. We all struggle, and some more so than others, but God has a plan. Please be courteous, patient, and mannerly when you see someone out of the ordinary. We ALL have feelings!
