Learning to Walk

This photo  was taken shortly after my seven months in the hospital recovering from Polio. I was learning to walk using parallel bars on a ramp built by my dad off our kitchen porch. I felt as pleased with myself as I look in the picture.

But it’s about more than that.

I am not a parent, but reflecting back over my life, I am blown away by the power of mother and father love. I was just one of five kids, but my mom spent two hours a day doing physical therapy on me, and my dad built for me equipment they could not afford to buy. They were such models of a “can do” attitude that for years it didn’t dawn on me that there was any other kind! How MUCH I admire them – both in Heaven now.

Gracie and My Braces

I was wearing shorts, sitting at a picnic table when

2-3/4 yr. old Gracie approached, looking intently at my braces. I rapped the plastic with my knuckles. “See? It’s hard.” Her wide blue eyes asked the same question her voice did – “Why?” “Because my legs are weak, so these help me walk.” Gracie smiled, said “That’s good,” and walked away, satisfied.

Aren’t kids great?! Jesus said, “Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Maybe that means people of such curiosity, honesty and trust as Gracie?