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Saturday, August 15, 2009

Open the Door


My best friend is Pam and she lives in Colorado. That is a long way from Yuma, Arizona. We have never lived in the same town or state for that matter yet, she is my VERY best friend. She has carried me through many dark days all via long distance. We are apart, but our spirits are forever intertwined because I answered the door when God knocked.

When tragedy strikes......God always opens doors.

I met this amazing woman two summers ago. We were all stuck at the Ronald McDonald House in Phoenix, Arizona during the blazing heat of June, July, and August. I was on one of my extended stays that would last seventy-eight days, and I was feeling rather deflated. I had DJ in Occupational Therapy three days a week and at his autism doctor the other two days. We had a ton of down time with not much to do except be hot.

One evening in early June, I went down to the dining room to eat our community meal. I walked in and saw a woman with a toddler sitting in a stroller. This child was crying obviously inconsolable. Her little body was pulled straight like she had a piece of plywood under her. I could see that the child was attached to a feeding pump. The scariest part was this beautiful little girl had the blankest stare on her face. There was no light in her eyes and it almost looked like her soul was taking a vacation.

All the while this haggard woman ate with a frantic look on her face. She shoveled the food in as quickly as she could. I could tell that she wasn't comfortable being in this public situation.

At this moment, all I could think was how glad I was that that wasn't my child. I was very grateful to only have autism that day......not the most Christian response. I left the dining room with this woman and child tearing at my soul all night.......I couldn't sleep. I could only think of the woman and her terribly disabled child. Why hadn't I said, "Hello"? What was wrong with me??

Again I repeat.......God knocks.......do you answer?

The next day, I had the chance to meet this woman. I met her because I took a chance.......I answered the door.

Who was the woman? You guessed it....Pam! Over the course of the next few weeks I got the chance to get to know this remarkable woman.........

Tomorrow, I let you know more of our amazing story.......

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