We All Write About Adversity, Don’t We?

Both of my published books deal with kids who are dealing with adversity. Someone asked why. The question stopped me dead in my tracks because I had never thought about “why”. Anyway, the answer was quickly clear to me. Since we are the sum total of our life’s experience (at least I think so) and my experiences are chock-full of exposure to this type of theme, I guess that’s why. So, this post today, the First of May, the month of Our Lady, I would like to give you a glimpse into the life of one child I crossed paths with over the years.

I have been a member of the St. Vincent De Paul Society for almost 20 years. Our mission—to help local folks in need. Okay, about 12 years ago my wife and I went out to visit a single mom and her two kids. Their electricity and water had been shut off. We took care of that and it was turned back on within a few hours. To the point–our parish was having its annual Fall Festival that week. Rides, food and lots of FUN. As president of the SVDP Society I would always secure ride and food tickets for families who could not afford them. One of these families was Jake’s. Jake, age 7, suffered from “Brittle Bone Disease” (Osteogenesis Imperfecta) and many low-energy impacts would cause one of his bones to break. He always either had a freshly broken bone somewhere on his tiny body or a bone on the mend. I can’t imagine.

On Sunday afternoon the family met me in the parish center. It was a GOOD day for the family. The sun was shining, the atmosphere was laughter filled and Jake had no broken bones. I had wrist bands put on the kids so they could ride all day long and I gave mom a bunch of food tickets. She asked me if I could just watch Jake while she took her daughter, Nancy, to the bathroom. I walked outside with Jake and there was a small step down, maybe four inches, like a street curb. Jake stepped down and groaned. His leg had broken. All the kid wanted to do was go on the merry-go-round. I sat down with him and he was crying and then I was crying and my arm was around his shoulder and all sorts of people were walking this way and that and he says to me, “Don’t worry, Larry. It’s okay. This happens all the time. I just wish mommy did not have to go to the hospital today.” He was worried about her.

Talk about attitude, perseverance and smiling through adversity. I’ll never forget Jake, ever. Wherever Jake may be today I am sure that Our Lady has her arms wrapped around him.  Thinking about that lets me know that Jake is having a lot more fun than he could have gotten from any  old merry-go-round.