Today is Friday, November 4th, 2005; Karen's Korner #665

Last summer as I was running a few errands in Clarion, I was introduced to an attractive, animated 50 something year-old from California and her 20 something year-old Downs Syndrome son. Their local tour guide was long-time Clarion resident Lorraine Young.
 
The two were family friends of Lorraine's daughter Deana Young Stock who lived the better part of her adult life in California. Deana had lost her long-time battle with cancer a few months earlier. The twosome was fulfilling a promise they had made to Deana to come visit her childhood home. While the three were still grieving the loss of their daughter and friend, they were definitely enjoying one anothers' company and the sights and sounds of our small, rural community.
 
As we were being introduced to the son, he would take the hand of each new acquaintance as if to shake hands. Instead he would lovingly kiss the top of each gal's right hand. Naturally, it would cause a smile to come to everyone's face. He was a charmer!
 
I wonder if the first few days after the son's birth and the family being told the devastating news (Downs Syndrome), if they questioned God's fairness. Like most families, we dream about what our children will become - maybe a brain surgeon, a famous writer, husband, father. When other kids were doing 'normal' things, undoubtedly this lad wasn't.
 
But this mom didn't know the rest of the story: about losing a spouse earlier than she would like and the companionship she would enjoy from her charming son a number of years later; and how much pleasure he would bring to their family and friends.
 
I heard mom tell, as she looked on at her son, "He's my buddy!"
 
Dear Father in Heaven, help me! Sometimes situations in my life are different than I would like. Sometimes my prayers aren't answered the way I think they should be.  When I start to look down and like inward, I am met with doubt, confusion, and depressing thoughts. But when I look up to You and look outward, even if I don't know the entire future story, my doubts and fears are erased, the confusion takes flight and the negative thinking is replaced with positive thoughts. As time passes, I see the wisdom of your delays or directions. Thank You for having everything under control. Sometimes I forget. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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