Over a month ago Chris and I were given tickets to go and see a Boise Hawks baseball game. It was so much fun, and we thoroughly enjoyed both the game and the precious time in each other's company.
While we were sitting, I noticed a young man who looked to be in his early twenties. He was a good looking kid with bright red hair, and I noticed him because of the animation of his gestures as he spoke to those who was standing next to.
It took only a few seconds of watching to realize that there was something very different about this young man. Strong as he looked, his body and face would break into uncontrolled spasms while he continued to try and get his point across. He was close enough to be able to hear his voice, and his speech was noticeably affected by some sort of disorder or delay. But he kept talking, and his companions seemed to know him well enough to follow him easily. He left after a while, and at first I was simply filled with pity for this seemingly healthy young man whose body and mind was ravaged by what I assumed to be a seizure disorder.
And then, about 45 minutes later, he came back. But this time he was not alone. He was accompanied by a woman wearing a big hat and carrying a cane. At first, probably because of the cane, I assumed she was older, probably his mother. But as she drew nearer, it was evident that she too was young. A wide smile covered her young face, and she was holding onto the arm of the young man, who seemed to walk in a slightly unbalanced manner, another indication of a seizure disorder.
Was she his sister, his friend...? I'll admit that my initial curiosity probably turned into outright rudeness, but I pointed out the couple to my husband, who began to watch them as well. They were greeted warmly by the same people the young man had been talking with before, and started up another conversation. Despite the continued spontaneous jerks his body took him through, the young man kept talking, and would sometimes defer to his companion who would smile lovingly at him and press his arm. It soon became apparent...they were TOGETHER. And she absolutely adored him.
One of my greatest fears for my boys, besides a worry for their ability to be independent, is that they will never know the love of a wife. That they will never know commitment from someone who adores them simply for who they are.
And that young woman, with her big hat, cane, and wide smile, gave me great hope that love is out there for my boys as well as for the lucky guy she found who may not have the traditional charms of the modern-day knight in shining armor, but who was able to see her for more than just her disability as well as she was able to see and love him.
