WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE We only see the life a person wants to show. And most of the time, they portray the rosier view. But what happens when something bad happens to a family that already has their hands full? Lets face it, we all have something to deal with. Some people just have more than their fair share. Years ago, in 1992, Joe and I were so very lucky to buy a beautiful property and he built our home there. Not only did he build it, but we also got married in it. It was during a bad lull in the building industry. We got the best deals from everyone including the bank. It was such an exciting period in our lives. John and Lisa were 10 and 8. I had a good job. Joe was happy working. It was a risk, but one we were sure we could handle. The property was in the cul-de-sac. We were the last home to be built there in this lovely neighborhood in Downingtown. We had the first floor walls up, and the floor down on the second floor. Joe would show me every day what he got done. I was standing on the second floor looking out when I saw her run down my dirt driveway towards my house. Her grandmom was running after her calling her name. CARRIE. I was halfway down the steps when I met this lovely young girl. She was about 12 then. I could hardly understand her but she took my hand and I showed my new neighbor my home. After the tour I walked her to her grandmother. Carrie was the first person to come over to say hello. Carrie has Down Syndrome. The significance of this meeting has never left me. She would be one of my greatest teachers, her and her mom. We were friendly with all the families. It was a great place to live. But Joe and I were alone unless the kids were over. And by this point that was happening less and less as they got older. It was 5 years later when I had Paul. And then I went back to work full-time. Two years later I had Sam. By this point, Carries mom, Linda, had become a friend. Once Sam was born, she was my in house expert. And she and Carrie would come over. To be able to see another child with Down Syndrome was so comforting. I could see the possibilities for Sam. Linda had to work full-time. Carrie was older and was left at home alone for short periods of time. They also had two boys. The father was an attorney and he loved gardening. They were such good people. The perfect people to have a child like Carrie. But, the father lost his job, and before you knew it they could no longer afford the house. We understood this, because we saw it happening to us. Once Sam was born, I could not work the same job. So we downsized. But they kept hanging on and lost it all. I remember wondering why bad things happen to good people. This was a great family. I have never heard from them since. They had to move with family out of state. I always thought that with having a child with special needs, that maybe God takes a pass over this type of family. But that was naive. As I grow older, and experience more of life, bad things and good things happen every day of every persons life. My friend Angela says that is the problem of the living. And she is right. Its how you handle the down turns that keeps you going. The most successful people are not the ones with the big bank accounts, its the person who knows how to laugh. The person who will find humor in a stressful situation. The person who continues to work hard but knows when it is time for laughter. I need to do that more. I want this winter over, the sun to come out, a bathing suit on and a beach chair to sit down on. Who is with me? FTBF
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 01:08:22 +0000
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