Wow

Wow. Spell it forwards, spell it backwards. It says the same thing. Wow.

Words escaped me at the Helping Hands Family weekend this past weekend (reference yesterday's blog) except for this one simple word, which backwards or forwards, says it all: "I am amazed and I am speechless."

We met a lot of amazing families this weekend, but I was particularly wowed by two couples: George and Norma, Scott and Deb.

Put yourself in this story: You have finally reached retirement. You have worked hard your whole life. You have raised your own children. You are, in fact, grandparents....or at least will be someday in the not-so-distant future. It is time to sit back, relax, and...

adopt a child, or get this, TWO children with major medical needs and significant visual and possibly hearing impairment.

Wow.

This is George and Norma. They have two grown daugters of their own. Grandchildren. They decide to house two foster children. And then two more: one who has severe brain damage resulting from bacterial meningitis, complex and frequent seizures, and a feeding tube. They have seen him through stomach surgery and brain surgery. Their other son has cerebral palsy that has left him wheelchair bound, nonverbal, and with a tube feeding.

This is Scott and Deb. With nearly grown children of their own, they meet Paul. Paul has significant brain damage as well, a trach, a feeding tube, and is wheelchair bound. His biological parents called him "the floor child" and neglected him to the n'th degree. Everyone---doctors alike, were ready to "let him expire" by stopping nutrition through his feeding tube. He was failing to thrive. Scott and Deb took him home, vowing to love him, and because of that, he is now thriving. Doctors are now focused on what can be done to improve his quality of life.

Wow.

That we would all be so selfless and so giving. That we would all see the possibility and gifts of everyone in this world instead of flaws and limitations. That we would all be so giving of our love.

Isn't my life amazing...that I get to learn these profound life lessons from such amazing people...

Wow.