For five years a had special needs young man in my non auditioned mens choir. The first year he never moved in his wheelchair and I never knew he was aware until the last day of school when my freshmen boys found a PVC pole and started playing Limbo at the end of class. Michael started laughing and we were all shocked. So, of course, we made sure he played Limbo with us! DeMarco pushed Michael in his wheelchair under the pole and he squealed and he laughed even harder. That was our first time we felt we reached him. I like to think he was just waiting to make his move and he fooled us all until the last day. The years followed and he began to nod his head when he liked what the boys were singing. I would tell the boys if Michael nodded his head as they sang, that he approved of what they were doing. The next four years my boys got more enjoyment, and actually better feedback, when Michael would nod his head when they would sing. They knew he liked it, so they must have been awesome and they would try even harder for Michael! Throughout those five years I got to know Michael. I knew he heard what I said, and he loved it when I teased him...and I did that a lot! We never knew what he really knew because he just couldnt communicate, but I like to think he knew a lot more than what people thought he did. He touched all our lives in the five years he was in that choir. Today I found out that Michael passed away yesterday. Thank you, Michael, for showing us all that it didnt matter how much your body could physically do, but what was inside that truly mattered. You touched many lives and I am proud that you let me into your world. I know you are literally running with the angels now. Its now your turn to sing as loud as you want, and Im listening for you!
Posted on: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 03:50:50 +0000
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