More Like Them

Sigh.  These past few months have been crazy around here.  I know everyone says that, but we have had REAL crazyyyyy at the Smith house.  Our life has been temporarily turned on it's side..it's temporary and not super serious, but enough to tip each of us over so that we have to force ourselves upright and find our balance again. We are still working on that, but it will come.  Now, while I am trying to find MY balance, the world seems to be throwing sick children, urgent care visits, ,broken water heaters, broken AC units. flooded bathrooms, and ADT alarms that go off in the middle of the night trying to knock me down like I am involved in a huge game of dodge ball. I deal with the situations head on, but it has left me feeling exhausted, tired , cranky...not myself.

On Saturday I took my kids out to EZ's for some burgers and fun with their friends.  While I am eating, I see this 9 year old boy and his mom out of the corner of my eye. I noticed him earlier. He was pointing at me and trying to pull himself out of his mother's grip.  She released him and he ran right over to me and gave me a huge, tight, all of his heart, hug.  "I'm Connor" was all he said.  I hugged back equally as hard and laughed while I introduced myself.  His mom apologized "I'm sorry.  He has autism".  I said "Don't worry about it.  I thought maybe...I have taught children with autism".  She laughed "He could probably tell, he does not usually run up and hug strangers. He could tell you were a good person".

No. I don't think that's what it was.  I think he could tell that I was hurting a little bit. I think he could tell that I was a person who needed a hug.  In all the time I have been involved with children with 'disabilities', I feel like they have other abilities that we don't have...not like superhero abilities, but the ability to look past all the b.s. and the drama to really see into the hearts of others. They may have areas where they struggle developmentally, but they are so much more evolved than the rest of us in the areas we need to grow in. The areas that really matter.

Here are some things I have learned about people with 'disabilities':

-They don't hide anything. If they like you, they will tell you. If they think you suck, you will know.

- They love with their whole heart.

-They hold nothing back...they laugh when they want, cry when they want, dance and sing when they want.

- They are 100% true to themselves...unique individuals not worrying about changing to please others...not trying to fit into some mold.

-You will have a friend for life

If people could look past the behaviors that make them different from everyone else, they would find beautiful, funny, genuine, amazing, honest, quirky, creative, and loving people.  People we could all learn from. People who want to hug a sad stranger. People who leave me striving to be more like them.

Comments

[AmyC]

What a great story Stephanie! I love your view of the hug! You are probably right! So sweet :)

[Stacy of KSW]

You most certainly were sent that very special hug on Saturday. God Bless you Connor. I love those out of the blue angel encounters. They always seem to happen when you need them most, but don't know you need them.

Every word you wrote about these children is true and so incredibly important. Wish I could tattoo those lessons in my brain to remember them always, so often times we get caught up in "things" and forget what's really important. This week I will have my chance to feel the magic. I'll be visiting a Therapy Center in South Carolina for special needs children. It was started by one of my oldest friends and has only been open for a few months. Yesterday they received news they were denied a $150,000 loan they needed to operate and are in danger of having to turn these children away. They're counting on the Lord now too, hopefully I can let him work through me. I'm organizing an online auction to be held in October and all profits will go straight to the Therapy Place. I just made the decision, so I'll fill you in on everything as I figure it all out.

I really can't get over how intertwined our paths have become.

[Erinn]

Stephanie,
This moved me to tears!! You are so right!!!
My brother in law is autistic. It is so true. He has an innocent heart and those child-like qualities that make you instantly love him, even on his "bad" days.