A Breath of Kindness

" A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away." Dinah Craik 1866

I am up early this morning and reflecting on “Just” People, Inc. in general, and John and Paul in particular. The theme of friendship is uppermost in my mind.

For most of us, life is a series of choices as we grow up. Some choices we make are made wisely and some are not. Regardless of whether they are wise or not, we are in control most of the time of what we do.  Even more important, most of us have a quality of life that allows us to experience pure exhilaration whether it’s hitting a golf ball in the sweet spot, or finishing a really great book. We get to experience total freedom in choosing where we will go, or what we will do every day. But most important, we get to choose where we will live, and who we will have as friends.

Due to recent decisions made by some officials that I believe lack true insight, John and Paul’s world could be turned upside down. At “Just” People, Inc. and in their apartment complex, John and Paul are safe, well-cared for, but more importantly, they have a quality of life they have never experienced before. Now this is all in danger of being taken away.

During their younger years their parents took wonderful care of them, but their family made almost all of their choices. As I have mentioned before, people were always considerate of the boys, but in truth they had few real friends. This is often the norm for adults who are developmentally challenged. Life is a series of meeting necessities and polite interactions. At “Just” People, Inc. they have real friends, experience quality choices, and are in control of what they do! They work hard and are so productive and joy is evident every time I see them. For John and Paul “Just” People, Inc. provides so much more than simply meeting their physical needs. It is an extension of their family and provides them with an environment where they have friends in the truest sense of the word. This life that they love is now in jeopardy of being taken away through no fault of their own.

 Think about it.......what if you had to leave your favorite  golf group, your local church, not be able to meet your best friends for  breakfast on a Saturday morning, or go to the home where you have lived for years? Life is just life and happens as it happens, the good and bad. It is the moments with our friends and families that give us all the strength, along with prayer, to enjoy life when it is good, and get through life when it is not. Someone recently sent $25.00 to me for John and Paul and said, “Darla, I am giving up eating out one time a month so I can send you this each month.” That is all it takes…. One dinner out a month.  If 100 angels would do that each month, John and Paul would be safe. That is my goal. Once it happens, the rest of my life will be to help “Just” People, Inc. in general.   For all parents of children like John and Paul, the greatest worry in the dead  of night is ---what will happen to their child when they are gone? Helping “Just” People, Inc. means the joy can go on after family is gone. That is my hope and prayer for John and Paul.

I am so very grateful for all of you---my friends.  I am well aware of the many blessings I have due to the friendships that I have been blessed with in my life. I pray that John and Paul will be able to stay in the home that has provided them with an opportunity to experience true friendships. 

Darla

My dear friend, Susan.... John and Paul's mother