Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Witness to a sweet exchange

At church on Sunday Lila and I sat next to a guy who has downs syndrome. He is about my age and is a super sweet guy who always plays with the kids in the ward. He started to rub Lilas feet and her arms. I wanted to tell him that Lila has special needs because I didn't want him to feel bad that she wasn't responding to him like the other kids do. But I didn't know quite what to say so I didn't say anything. All during Sunday school he continued to be in contact with her one way or another. After class was over I put Lila in her stroller and was chatting with a friend. I realized that the guy was still touching Lila and giving her loves. My friend and I sat and watched. He rubbed her arms and legs and sat and talked to her. It looked almost like a sweet reunion. Then he kissed the palm of his hand and put it to Lila's cheek. As he turned to go it was the first time I saw his face. He was sobbing. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he walked by me. I tried to reach out and give him a love but he quickly walked away. I have to wonder what was passing between these two great souls. What he can see when it comes to Lila that I can't. I am sure he is so sensitive to her sweet spirit as she is to his. Once again it was a reminder just how special these special needs people are.

10 comments:

Kelli said...

What a wonderful experience!! Thank you for documenting it so we don't forget! :-)

nikki said...

So sweet! I have no doubt that many of these kids knew each other before

Robbie and Margot said...

They are very special. I always have strongly believed that special needs children are the closest thing we have to heaven on earth because they have the sweetest spirits.

Steve and Liz Evans said...

Oh so sweet!!!

Julie said...

That is so sweet! My little brother is 17 and has Down Syndrome. I can attest, special needs kids are the most precious people alive. We are blessed to get a glimpse of these beautiful spirits. I appreciate your sweet posts. I have read every one of them from the time Lila was a couple of months old and can tell you that Lila has a fan club that loves her in Cache and Box Elder counties!

Barb said...

What an incredible moment to witness.

Cynthia said...

I admired him from two rows back playing with Lila on Sunday. He was so sweet and tender with her. I'm glad you shared this.

Dr. LaRisse Skene said...

wow that is amazing. so glad you were able to experience that.

Love you!!!

Diana said...

This made me cry so hard I couldn't even describe it to my husband. :) I was talking with a veteran mom in a ward I had just moved into. She had lost her daughter the previous year at age 19. We were talking about whether all special spirits knew each other and she basically said, no, they don't ALL know each other, but you can tell when they do. She had had an experience with her daughter in a crowd of special kids at an event and one of them left the crowd and just got SO excited to see her daughter. From my own experience, they just don't have the full veil over their eyes that we do. Swiss cheese veil. Sometimes they get glimpses that we don't get and keep connections that we don't keep and I think it is all due to a loving Heavenly Father that watches over them even in their protected state.

We always say "Angels come in at the corners" because Becca has spent many happy moments smiling, giggling and "chatting" with corners. I have had such strong witnesses to her divinity and elevated state. And though I will be the one to say goodbye to her, like you, I know she will be in good hands and hopefully she'll come visit me in my corners even if my stubborn earthly eyes can't see. My heart will feel.

Lisa said...

thank you for sharing this. it really touched my heart tonight. lila is a beautiful girl. she is obviously loved and obviously so close to heaven...when she came to church with kelli, you could literally feel it in the room.