INSPIRATION

I stumbled on this video "Jacob and the Guitar Man" a few hours ago and it made my day.  Jacob is an autistic kid who is also blind, and clearly loves music.  The way he gravitated toward Tyler Gregory and his music on the streets of Lawrence, KS is powerful.  It definitely stirred something in my soul to see such clear purpose, intent, attraction, and love.  A clear reminder that sometimes having differences that some people consider "disabilities" actually allows one to be more closely connected to the things that really matter in life, and experience pleasure and joy in ways that we perhaps can only imagine.  Anyway, enough from me.  Here's the video:

Tyler Gregory

Definitely check out Tyler Gregory's response on his website.  I love the way he described his interaction with Jacob.  We need more people to testify about the mysterious exchange between people that constitutes the backbone of life.   Also, how can you not love a guy busking on the streets of Kansas, trying to sell enough CDs to buy an RV that runs off waste vegetable oil so he can tour and play more music?  Seriously, that alone is worth supporting him.  To read about his response, click here.

GOOD NIGHT, GANDHI

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.

                                                                                  -Mahatma Gandhi

About to call it a day after, well, a pretty dang difficult day.  I heard this quote the other night from a very unlikely source.  Let's just say it's in my Netflix queue and involves an epically naughty yet enchanting place called Wisteria Lane.  Anyway, that's neither here nor there.  It's the Gandhi quote that really matters.

Raising a child with special needs has been the adventure of a lifetime, and I'm so proud of how far our little family has come in such a short time.  Proud, but tired.  Some days just feel heavy in a way that nothing in life has really prepared me for thus far.  That's why this quote from Gandhi really resonated with me when I heard it.  It's hard but important to remember that sometimes we are called to have an indomitable will, even in the face of physical bodies that are less than perfect and can fail us.  Days when I worry, or start to feel overwhelmed, here's something else to think about from (who else?) Monsieur Gandhi:

                There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God 
               should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever.

Get sassy, Gandhi.  I love that he's kind of a hard ass about this.  When I can actually feel my physical body exhausted from worry or concern over seizures, or development, or whatever particular thing might be plaguing my mind that day, I'm committing to remember Gandhi's words.  First of all, worry takes it's toll on our bodies.  Second, if we have faith in God, there is nothing for us to be worried about.

I know how totally naive this must sound to an atheist, but today it gives me a lot of comfort.  And come on, people, it's Gandhi for goodness sake.  He has to be kinda on to something.

So I'll leave you with a little hope at the close of day.  I just got this picture earlier in the week from someone who attended my child's baptism in New Orleans over Easter.  It was a magical evening, hosted by the incredible Worship Society of St. Polycarp in NOLA.  Such a welcoming bunch of people with a deep sense of celebration and investigation of their faith and its expression.  We were so honored to be part of this community for their Easter Vigil and our daughter's baptism.  It reminded me that the good in the universe really can find a way to shine through, even in the dark of night.