Some call them "special needs people". I think they are the people we "especially need".
I need to keep it short today, which is a problem when this gratitude is so dear to my heart.
This is an updated picture of my Mom's little sister, Aunt Helen and my cousin, Molly's daughter, Alyssa. Aunt Helen and Alyssa have been special friends from birth. Aunt Helen experience brain damage from the fevers with spinal meningitis as a baby in the 50's and Alyssa was born with Down's Syndrome.
When Alyssa was born, they quickly formed a connection, as special people sometimes do. Aunt Helen wanted to hold her, and Molly gladly put her in her arms. You see, although I was married by the time Molly was Alyssa's age, we both grew up with the same Aunt Helen.
Aunt Helen never ages. Her mind is between that of a 7-13 year old, depending on the task and her abilities in a certain area. She was our favorite playmate. She talked to us and not at us. She joined in or led us in games. She conned us into cleaning her room. She listened to our stories. When we stayed at Grandma's for the evening, Aunt Helen's domain was the place to be.
Our lives were richer, better and we learned to be more compassionate, because we had an Aunt Helen. In our family, there was a specific order to who went through the food line at family meals. Children first. The men. And, then finally the women. Aunt Helen went with the children. She was one of them... but one of us. Yes, we adore her. All of us.
I have shared a picture of these two before, but my cousin shared this one from last weekend. Alyssa crawled up and sat with Aunt Helen and this magazine for about 30 minutes. I told Molly that this was even more precious as it was above both of their reading levels.
Molly said Aunt Helen would point to a picture and ask "What's that?" Alyssa would respond, even if she couldn't understand what Alyssa was saying she would say "Yes! Good job!" How priceless is that? Aunt Helen was teaching and encouraging. Alyssa was beaming with joy.
‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ -Matthew 25:40
We must be very careful how we treat these special people. Childlike at times, I think they are highly sensitive to the Holy Spirit and angel whispers. They should be watched carefully for what we can learn from them. We should listen to Jesus words before we dismiss them as unknowing with regards to spiritual things. Their childlike faith touches His heart.
"Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” -Luke 18:15-17
I can't imagine our family without Aunt Helen. And now, the youngest generation will have Alyssa who will carry the torch when Aunt Helen is no longer with us. I will give thanks for all the years they have together to grow, go and know each other. Their delight in the simple things and sense of excitement and wonder when life is really good can teach us all.
Some call them special needs... but we know they are specially needed. (Thanks for sharing Molly.) Aunt Helen has worked at the same place since 1972 and rarely misses a day. How many people today can say that? Alyssa celebrates most of her developmental accomplishments long after other children the same age as her, but for her... each victory is hard earned and huge. She looks delicate... but she is made of tough stuff.
Never look down on them, around them or beyond them. "The least of these" are of great importance to the father. Special needs people are especially needed.
They give us glimpses of God's patience and love for His "less than perfect" people. Personally, I'd rather spend a day with Aunt Helen's and Alyssa's peers than with world leaders. They are more fun and they will very likely teach us more about love, kindness and peace than all the power brokers of the world combined.
Today, I am grateful for the people we especially need.
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