SPECIAL OLYMPICS

My father in law, ‘Pops’, has been retired for many many years and like most retired folks at some point they start looking for something to do to keep them busy. A lot of times that is charity work and god bless em for it! A few weeks ago Pops started expressing his desire to do some charity work although when it comes to his outlook on people Pops can best be described as a ‘Rob’ in that arena!! There are only a few people that Pops trusts and even likes being around! So while helping him find something I needed to keep this in mind!

I ended up finding an awesome event that took place in Rancho Cordova for the Special Olympics Track and Field. What an experience this was for us both. We helped out with team registration and had no idea what an impact this day would have on us. As we watched the mentally challenged we were amazed at their strength,  vibrancy and enthusiasm for life. No complaining, whining or bad moods. Keep in mind it was a day that temperatures reached in the 100’s and they were competing on a track field which makes it that much hotter. Each one excitedly came up to the registration table ready to start their event.  Pops and I were smiling from  ear to ear at how outgoing they were and would strike up conversation with you, wanting to know all about what you were doing and who you were and how your day was going. It wasn’t done in an intrusive manner,  it was done with genuine curiosity.

On the way home we both discussed how much we had learned from the mentally challenged that day. They were not jaded by their disability rather they had learned how to LIVE with it. I don’t mean just get by with it or go thru the motions of life with it. No I mean LIVE, really LIVE  their life. Be involved in life, look around and find the joys in life. How many of us daily concentrate on the negatives of life all the while missing what is good? These folks have taken the disability that life brought them and in spite of it are refusing to let it keep them down. Human nature is funny sometimes, the more you want the more you get all the while not appreciating what you just got that you had been wanting because now you want more! We thought how lucky they are to not get caught up in that kind of human nature, because their human nature was to savor and enjoy the moment in front of them, the mentally disabled are truly one of life’s treasures and that my friends helps this to be A Wonderful Life!

Drop me a line to let me know your thoughts on my "It's a Wonderful Life" column..