Contributions from the Challenged

After having lunch with one of my oldest and best friends, on the short drive home, I began to think back to when he was first diagnosed with melanoma. The spot was so small, and was readily disposed of in what we all thought was a very early discovery, and permanent fix. His son being born, being honored to be his Godfather and Sharry his Godmother. Ten years later, a re-emergence of this demon. This time spreading to the bone, and now his liver. During lunch we had talked about our wild, and somewhat dangerous youthful indiscretions, and the thousands of laughs along the way to relative maturity. Neither of us would ever want it to be more than relative. During our conversation, he said "I told my wife yesterday that she was the best thing that ever happened to me. I told him that was great, but she already knew. We all told her that years ago. More laughs, through misty eyes. As I took the long way home, I thought of how my friend and his wife met.  Sharry and I had started Matt in a home based therapy program for autistic children. His wife then working on her teaching degree, was working as a therapist in the program.My friendmet her at our house one day, and they were on their way. Almost simultaneously,one of my other very close friends, who had been divorced awhile, met another of Matt's therapists...They now have a beautiful daughter, also our Godchild. Wham! Two marriages(who needs dating sites, just stop by our house) compliments of our son. As I smiled at the thought of Matt's accomplishment, I remembered when a well intentioned, yet endearingly blunt relative once said to me, as he expressed his concern over Matt's lifelong disability."Why does God do this to people, what will Matt ever be able to accomplish in his life in his condition?" He meant no harm in his remark, I actually thought about it more as the severity of his challenges became apparent. I just told him at the time, that we'll just love him, and trust in God. I realized later, that his question had been answered. Only by way of Matt's challenges, did two marriages come to pass, and two children come into this world. Had Matt been a "normal " child, none of this would have occurred. In addition, all of the people along the way that he has brought joy and laughter to. The way he has taught so many people what is important in life, the power of innocence, and unconditional love. The same is true for all those, like my son, that have purposes both seen, and hidden from view. Quite some contributions, from such challenged lives.