Kindness & Karma
Each month the editors will solicit responses from our readers to questions that embrace unexpected inspiration. Only those responses with first/last names and state will be posted. Editors reserve the right to edit for content and word count.
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JUNE '17: |
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The editors want to know...
What milestone in your life will you never forget...and why?
Reader responses...
Regarding Renee's daughter's Confirmation 6 years ago (She shared the following on Facebook which has been shortened slightly): Well today was one of those milestones that many Lutheran (and Christian) parents share with their children - the Rite of Confirmation. For most parents it's a celebration and a joy that their son or daughter is done with classes, and they no longer have to get them there...not just driving them there...it's the whole routine of going through the endless battles of hearing "Why do I have to go," etc. I didn't have to endure that with Serena (I have 3 others that I do).
For me, it was simply a joy...one so profound...to see her sitting in her wheelchair with the other Confirmands and without me right next to her. She was such a young 17 year old lady, her head mid-line and not tilted to the left, alert and very aware of every aspect of the service and responsive in her way to answering the questions asked of her! And, as usual, when she received Communion, she was in the moment! I was SO concerned about all the things that I get concerned about with Serena during a special event as this - will she fall asleep, will she be vocal throughout the entire service, will she need to be suctioned frequently, will she wet through her clothes, will she get upset or startled, will she be responsive? Ha...I shouldn't have been concerned (and I did ease up as the service went on). I feel such a sense of pride and joy that I can't even find words to describe it.
Fast forward to 2017...my Angel Child loves going to church. Yesterday she was "Alaaaaing" in the elevator singing along with the congregation to the Hymn "Holy Holy Holy"! Her head was mid-line and she was focused on Pastor Jim's sermon (whose voice she knows). Later on during the bell choir concert...she was engaged.
Science can't explain how this child with diffused extensive brain damage can be in sync with the world...but then again...some things can't be explained by science. Thank you, God, for my Angel Child. ~Renee Falanga Brenner, NY
For me, it was simply a joy...one so profound...to see her sitting in her wheelchair with the other Confirmands and without me right next to her. She was such a young 17 year old lady, her head mid-line and not tilted to the left, alert and very aware of every aspect of the service and responsive in her way to answering the questions asked of her! And, as usual, when she received Communion, she was in the moment! I was SO concerned about all the things that I get concerned about with Serena during a special event as this - will she fall asleep, will she be vocal throughout the entire service, will she need to be suctioned frequently, will she wet through her clothes, will she get upset or startled, will she be responsive? Ha...I shouldn't have been concerned (and I did ease up as the service went on). I feel such a sense of pride and joy that I can't even find words to describe it.
Fast forward to 2017...my Angel Child loves going to church. Yesterday she was "Alaaaaing" in the elevator singing along with the congregation to the Hymn "Holy Holy Holy"! Her head was mid-line and she was focused on Pastor Jim's sermon (whose voice she knows). Later on during the bell choir concert...she was engaged.
Science can't explain how this child with diffused extensive brain damage can be in sync with the world...but then again...some things can't be explained by science. Thank you, God, for my Angel Child. ~Renee Falanga Brenner, NY
