Perspective

Nothing like listening to others' stories to put your own life in perspective.

Perspective #1) http://www.thegledhillfamily.blogspot.com/

Perspective #2) Every Monday morning at the wonderful hour of 8am, I volunteer at Provo High in the SEVERE special ed classroom. These kids are my age and older, but most of them have the mental capacity of a 6 month old. Most of them can't communicate, except by screaming. Yet, they are full of the most perfect love I've ever seen. They are so innocent.

One girl, Rebecca, is bi-polar, schizo, and I'm sure other things because she speaks broken english and can't do much cognitively. She often screams bloody murder, which can be scary at first, but you get used to it. She told me the other day that she loved me. And I'm sure she doesn't really remember me from week to week, but I know she meant it because she has that kind of love for everyone.

One of my favorites is Jesus. His name fits him perfectly. He can't speak, or even respond to his own name for that matter. All he wants to do is play tag, and laugh. He loves to give you kisses, more like drool all over you, but it's sweet. He's got this big, billowing laugh that will make anyone's day.

Another boy, Alex, has a crush on me. He smells to high heaven, and can't really talk, but he's soft, and gentle, and loving, and kind.

Actually, my new favorite is TYLER!! He has down syndrome so he's a little more advanced than the rest of the kids. He is absolutely a riot. We had him going the other day, and he had us all rolling with his sayings. When I left that morning, he came up and gave me several kisses on the cheek.

One of the more advanced kids is named David. He's really outgoing and loves video games, arm wrestling, and rock paper scissors. The other day he got upset and sprinted out of the classroom. One of the teachers went after him, and David came back upset and crying. Everyone was ignoring him basically, so I went over to him, and started to play rock paper scissors with him. After a few rounds of "letting him win", he collapsed into my lap and gave me a big hug. Wow, what a feeling. I was so touched by the fact that I could make a difference in his day.

It's hard to find "normal" people who are this loving, warm, and easy to make friends with. What a great lesson I have learned and perspective I have gained from this experience.

I got a huge impression that someday I will meet them face to face in heaven, and they'll be able to tell me exactly what's on their minds.

...I can't wait for that day.

In the mean time, I'm grateful for my arms, legs, sight, hearing, communication skills, health, etc.

It's emabarrasing to think of how much I complain about waking up in the morning, doing my homework, working out, when a good day to them is not wetting their diapers.

I am so blessed.