Our Lives Are Blessed

"Our lives are blessed as we learn lessons from trusted friends whose disabilities and humility invite the Spirit. They teach us a new dimension of faith, courage, patience, love and individual worth."

 

(W. Craig Zwick. Encircled in the Savior's Love, Ensign, Nov. 1995)

 

Divine Comfort

When I feel lonely, grief-stricken and depressed divine comfort is always available.

While still in the hospital recovering from the trauma of David's birth I was in need of such comfort. I could tell my body was starting to heal from the unexpected complications of his birth when I began to cry uncontrollably. As my physical pain decreased, my emotional pain increased. With my body no longer struggling for survival, I started to feel the devastating grief of my situation.

David was born at 2:48 a.m. on Friday. On Sunday morning the nurse asked, "Would you like to attend the sacrament service held in the hospital (we were in LDS Hospital) or would you prefer the sacrament be brought to you room?"

Rob and his mom accompanied me to the chapel. Unsure if my newborn would live or die, I was crying even before the service began.

When offered the sacrament I shook my head and pointed to the tube protruding from my nose. A nasal-gastric tube had been inserted through my nose, down my throat and into my stomach. It was designed to suck air from my stomach. I'd been given strict orders not to eat or drink anything.

The old man holding the sacrament tray kindly suggested, "Take a piece of bread and touch it to your lips and do the same with the cup of water. This is what we've done for other patients. I believe it'll have the same effect."

So I took a piece of bread and touched it to my lips and did the same with the cup of water. I was grateful not to be excluded from this ordinance.

I cried even more when I listened to the talks. They were on the Atonement. A young sister spoke about the Savior's ability to provide comfort and peace when we experience sorrow and heartache. As she spoke the Spirit warmed my heart and soothed my soul. I received a witness that what she was saying was true.

I realized my baby was grateful to me for providing him with physical life. Jesus Christ provided us with spiritual life and I provided David with physical life. With this realization came feelings of peace and comfort--the Savior knew my pain and provided the solace I sought. In the midst of deep despair and uncertainty Christ's love reassured and strengthened me.

"Though we (may) . . . face . . . all manner of afflictions, our caring, loving Savior will always be there for us. He has promised: 'I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.'" (Rasband, Ronald, A, "Special Lessons," Ensign, May 2012).

Sweetest Spirits

"But we are reminded that a perfect body is not required to achieve one's divine destiny. In fact, some of the sweetest spirits are housed in frail or imperfect bodies. Great spiritual strength is often developed by people with physical challenges, precisely because they are so challenged."

(Nelson, Russell, M. "Thanks Be to God," Ensign, May 2012)

I Can't Get Enough of Your Smile

I can't get enough of your smile
Or the dancing twinkle in your eyes

It's the unexpected magic of this sighting that thrills me the most

Like bright sunlight on an icy day

It warms my being and lights my world

Telling me you're OK

With no words of your own to make this expression

I'll take your smile 

And with it the peace of knowing you've found joy and satisfaction 

That life is good

That something pleases you

Or you're just happy to see me.

Adversity

"It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life's story will develop."

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Your Happily Ever After", Ensign, May 2010)
 

For My Silent Brothers and Sisters

talking does one good
shouting is animal
how come i can't give it up
and just say everything in simple words
now i am going to write a song about the joy of speaking
a song for mute autistics to sing in institutions and madhouses
nails in forked branches are the instuments
i am singing the song from deep down in hell i am calling
out to all the silent people in this world
make this song your song
thaw out the icy walls
make sure you arent thrown out
we will be a new generation of mute people
a whole crowd of us singing new songs
songs such as speaking people have never heard
of all the poets i dont know of one who was mute 
so we will be the first
and people wont be able to shut their ears to our singing
im writing for my silent sisters
for my silent brothers
we want people to hear us and give us somewhere
we can live among you
live a life in this society

September 21, 1992

Sellin, Birger. (1995). I Don't Want To Be Inside Me Anymore: Messages From An Autistic Mind. New  York: Basic Books.

Noble Spirit

David's body has grown bigger and stronger, but his mind is still behind, trapped inside the prison of autism. His ability to communicate is severely limited and his functioning is impaired by odd behaviors, emotional outbursts and limited understanding. Even so, his disabled body is home to a mature, noble spirit. A spirit so valiant he doesn't need the saving ordinances because his exaltation is already secure.

The Spirit taught me this truth while I was doing an endowment session in the Salt Lake Temple.

As I sat in the endowment room waiting to go through the veil, I had an interesting impression. I imagined Emma, my second child, was all grown up and sat beside me (Skye had not been born yet). I rejoiced in this image and looked forward to the day when Emma would join me in the temple. But then I felt a slight sense of concern.

Where was my David?

Why wouldn't he be a part of this impression?

I closed my eyes hoping to feel something of his presence. I opened them and looked around.

Why wouldn't he be in the endowment room with us?

Was this just one more experience he couldn't be a part of?

Slowly it dawned on me he didn't need to be there.

He was on the other side of the veil.

Already in the presence of God.

Waiting for us to join him.

Importance of Nature

 

" . . . to us people with special needs, nature is as important as our own lives. The reason is that when we look at nature, we receive a sort of permission to be alive in this world, and our entire bodies get recharged. However often we're ignored and pushed away by other people, nature will always give us a good, big hug, here inside our hearts."

Higashida, Naoki. (2013). The Reason I Jump:The Innner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy With Autism. New York:Random House.

Mormon Litz Blitz Semi-finalist

I am a semi-finalist in the Mormon Litz Blitz 2014 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

http://blog.mormonartist.net/2014/06/2014-mormon-lit-blitz-longlist/