I used to tease my husband there were two types of Marines. The clean cut, high and tight, buttons in a line, dress blues kind of Marine. The other, laid back, long hair, can go biker, can go hippie, prefer their BDU’s and combat boots kind of Marine. (My husband being of the first kind, my dad leaning more towards the latter, if you wanted to know.) Both types are equally wonderful, respectful & vital to us. Whichever “style” of Marine these warriors decide to have once they become inactive could never lessen the honor and sacrifice they made as they battled through whatever task or mission came their way.
When I see Justice, I see the same warrior spirit I see in her father. I have seen her in life and death battles that she was sure to lose. Yet, somehow, she came through. Her body bares more scares from her 31 surgeries than most warriors do. Still, she tackles the next day with determination to conquer and win.
Like Marines, I have also had the privilege to witness not just one person with special needs or one type of special needs but many. They all have graced me with their style and uniqueness but while never letting me forget their courage, strength, honor and sacrifice.
One day I was watching Justice and some other children with special needs learn to ride bikes at a bike camp put on by the place they all take therapy. I was very proud of Justice as she and most of the other kids were slowly learning. Then one boy caught my attention. He seemed like he just wasn’t physically able to do it. As the others were progressing through, getting on independently, balancing, pushing off and finally riding, he wasn’t able to begin the task. By the end of the week all the other kids were riding. It seemed like a failure that this boy didn’t learn also. Then as I watched and listened to him, I learned that he did not fail, I did. I wanted him to “fit,” to be like the other kids, to learn and do it right to the “normal” standards. What I failed to see is at the beginning of the week he could not get on the bike and now he could. What once was taking him over 30 seconds to lift his feet up to the peddles, now was only taking him 8 second. However the most important thing, the reason he was there at all, he had a great time and met some wonderful new friends…..But 8 seconds to lift your feet up….and to do it without complaining…..now that takes a strong person. Someone to admire.
I have another friend whose child had extremely complicated needs. He could not do anything for himself. I met my friend when Justice was only a few months old and at the time would vomit about 20 or so times a day. Day and night, we would work on feeding her. (But I’ve already written a lot about that haven’t I?) Anyways, one day I was talking to my friend as Justice was screaming in the back round and my friend tells me how sorry she feels for me. I couldn’t believe what she was saying. She feels sorry for me? Justice will talk, walk, read and write someday. Justice will say, “I love you Mommy.” Her son was never going to do any of that stuff. How could SHE feel sorry for me? I felt sorry for her! Then she explained to me. Her son may never do any of that but he never cries. He’s always happy. He will never know discrimination. He will never have hurt feelings. He just loves. That’s all he knows. LOVE… with nothing else. And isn’t that what all of us dream for our children? I know this little boy and his family also sacrificed a world but I have to admire the beauty in the way they choose to look at life. It may not be the same “style” as you or I would have but admirable none-the-less I say.
Sometimes I wonder what kind of warrior I am. Am I strict, firm and by the book? Am I tired of the protocol and just want get things done and over? Can I be persistent, determine and proud of my achievements? On the other hand, could I ever reach that master level? Force Recon. That place where I accept the situation, I adapt, I overcome, I live with my decisions and do it all for the love and well-being of others. I'd like to think of myself as this couragous person but in reality, I do believe that our troops and those people big or small fighting personal battles of no fault of their own are truely in a different class of courage.
Semper Fi, Little Ones, Ooh-Rah
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