Wednesday, January 27, 2010

  My thin black dress socks don't do much to prevent the cold. Normally, this isn't much of a problem as I am only traveling outside from my house to my car, and my car to my office. Yesterday, however, was not a normal work day. Yesterday, I was standing on  top of a mountain at Wintergreen Resort for the Virginia Special Olympics in the cold, cold weather.
  Do I resent being there on that chilly morning as the snow seeped in through my dress shoes and soaked my socks? Not one bit. First of all, the feeling has returned to my feet. Second, I was there to support two of our DDM residents, Mark and Peter.
  I always enjoy the time I spend with HopeTree's DDM residents because I am reminded of what amazing people they are. Most residents, or any persons with intellectual disabilities, are some of the most happy, thoughtful, and selfless individuals whom I have ever met. When I saw Mark at the finish line after one of his runs, he looked at me and met me with his arms wide open for a big hug. (His mom later told me that he's so friendly with strangers that she has to keep a watchful eye on him at all times.)
  The radiant smiles from our DDM residents are enough to make me forget all my troubles. When Peter was presented with one of his several gold medals he looked as if he had just won the lottery.
  It's little moments like these that remind me just how special these people are. I am so fortunate that there is an organization like HopeTree that can provide the nurturing care that persons with intellectual disabilities need.
  So yes, it was cold. And yes, it was my fault for not dressing properly. But once again, I found that whenever I spend time with our DDM residents it is always an enriching and rewarding experience.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Happy New Year

  Happy New Year!  How are your resolutions going so far?  If you haven't made any yet (or the ones you have made have already been broken), let me share some inspiration I just found in a great book I'm reading called An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor.  Brown, a minister, left the church to become a professor.  In leaving behind the sacraments of the church that she dearly loved, she struggled to find new symbols of faith in her "ordinary" life.  Thus, this book is made up of the spiritual practices of daily life (i.e. The practices of waking up to God, paying attention, wearing skin, walking on the Earth, getting lost, encountering others, living with purpose, saying no, carrying water, feeling pain, being present to God, and pronouncing blessings).  
 
  I was moved by a particular practice in chapter two, which focused on developing an attitude of reverence.  Reverence is the awe of understanding that there is something greater than ourselves.  While it can be found in many places, Brown comments on how often we lack it in our lives due to our busy pursuits that seem to state that we are of the utmost importance.  She suggests instead taking moments out of our day to pay attention to others.  
 
  Instead of being annoyed or angered when others cut us off in traffic or disturb our peace with loud cell phone conversations, we could take a moment to pay attention to these other individuals, realizing they have their own lives, issues, and struggles.  We may see them as being on the periphery of our important lives, but they likely view us the same way.  When we take a moment to value their humanity, we accept our own as well. We may then recognize them as a neighbor, whom we are to love as we love ourselves. 
 
  And wouldn't this, this second greatest commandment, make a great resolution for 2010?
 
  May God grant us eyes to see, hearts to feel, and hands and feet to serve and share God's love in this new year.
Rev. Jenny Frazier Call, M.Div.
Director of Christian Education
HopeTree Family Services
P.O. Box 849