Today is Thursday, January 11th, 2007; Karen's Korner #974
Nancy Anderson is the severely handicapped daughter of Doris and the late-Ken Anderson, who lived much of their adult lives in Clarion.
At the age of four, Nancy had a case of measles that didn't break out, leaving her unable to walk and talk. Doris said doctors believed Nancy wouldn't live past 18 or 21 years old; she is now 59, and in the past few years has realized a dream: going to college. Her classes have included literature and writing. She doesn't take the courses for a grade, but to enjoy learning what she can and participating as much as possible.
Before you speed passed this Karen's Korner, one written by Nancy for a college assignment (December 13, 2006) I want you to consider that it takes Nancy about one minute to type each word by pressing her cheek against an apparatus connected to a computer keyboard to be able to put her thoughts on to paper!
By Nancy Anderson:
I am writing this from the hospital. I hope you all are okay and never have to go to the hospital because it is not very fun. As I lay here, I am reminded how fragile my life is. We are all just a car accident, a virus, a moment away from death. What then, is the purpose of life?
Some people say this is all there is--I mean life here on earth as we know it. If so, then eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow I die! Or, I could just complain about how life was not fair to me. (Remember my wheelchair?) But these are not my beliefs, and that is not my attitude. I believe there is a heaven. That is my hope.
What if I am wrong? What if there is no heaven? Where do you go when you die? Answer: nowhere. You rot in the ground. It is done, it is over. So this is all there is. Work hard, make money, do good to others, have fun, play, relax. What you see is what you get. Then you die. It reminds of what a wise king once wrote: "Meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless." Congratulations, you just spent your life chasing the wind.
I prefer a different message. I believe there is something more to come, a place called heaven. I hear about it in songs. I read about it in books. I see it on television. My pastor talks about it in church. Jesus was born on Christmas for us, he died to save us from our sins, he rose from the dead on Easter morning, he ascended into heaven, and he sits at the right hand of God. If there is no heaven, where did Jesus go? And why did he die? He died for a reason: me.
Most importantly, I read about heaven in my Bible. Jesus promised that there are many rooms in heaven, and that he is preparing a place for me. I have this hope, So I say, "Meaningful, meaningful, everything is meaningful." My whole life has meaning, value, and purpose.
I often can not show my faith like others do. I can not get to church by myself and need help with almost everything. However, I show my love in different ways--by praying, by being a good friend to others, by listening, by showing kindness through my smile, by writing words of encouragement for others, by not complaining, working faithfully, and by being an exampe to others.
I will be very happy when this life is over and I get to go to heaven. The Bible tells me that in heaven there will be no more pain, and all my tears will be wiped away. It says it will be a very beautiful place, with a street paved with gold. I wonder if that street will have ramps for my wheelchair? Or maybe I will not need a wheelchair in heaven. Will I be able to walk and talk? I hope so. Jesus can do that. Some men brought their handicapped friend to Jesus, and Jesus made him walk. He also forgave his sins, and he forgives mine, so I can be happy right now, too. Whether I can walk or not, my true joy will be to be with Jesus in heaven.
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