Today is Wednesday, May 9th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1058
One story taken from "More Stories from the Heart", compiled by Alice Gray:
Autumn Dance
by Robin Jones Gunn
She stood a short distance from her guardian at the park, this afternoon, her distinctive features revealing that although her body blossomed into young adulthood, her mind would always remain a child's. My children ran and jumped and sifted sand through perfect, coordinated fingers. Caught up in fighting over a shovel, they didn't notice when the wind changed. But she did. A wild autumn wind spinning leaves into amber flurries.
I called to my boisterous son and jostled my daughter. Time to go. Mom still has lots to do today. My rosy-cheeked boy stood tall, watching with wide-eyed fascination the gyrating dance of the Down's syndrom girl as she scooped up leaves and showered herself with a twirling rain of autumn jubilation.
With each twist and hop she sang deep, earthy grunts--a canticle of praise meant only for the One whose breath causes the leaves to tremble from the trees.
Hurry up. Let's go. Seat belts on? I start the car. In the rearview mirror I study her one more time through misty eyes. And then the tears come. Not tears of pity for her. The tears are for me. For I am far too sophisticated to publicly shout praises to my Creator.
I am whole and intelligent and normal, and so I weep because I will never know the severe mercy that frees such a child and bids her come dance in the autumn leaves.
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