The Sweetest Kiss
Today I got to see love in action. There is a man who comes into the library. I think of him as a boy because he is Down's Syndrome person and has the heart of a child. He has wonderful manners, is literate, and no one has sweeter social charms. His dad was a remarkable man. He came into the library when I worked at Fairfield, and with humor and love, shared stories with me about his adventures and misadventures with his son I will call Shawn, for confidential reasons. My favorite story about Shawn was about the time he approached a toothless, overweight and disheveled woman at a grocery store and stated, "Mam. You are absolutely the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life." Oh...the wonder of seeing with the heart, as God does! Shawn's father said the woman was, needless to say, flabberghasted by the remark, and with laughter and surprise in her voice, stated she was ready to take Shawn home with her that very day.
It was with tremendous sadness that I learned the robust and ever-strong father of Shawn was terminal with cancer. Shawn's mother was very ill as well, and in a short time, Shawn was an orphan of sorts and went to live in a board and care home. When he came into the library, a spirit of sadness hung heavy over him. He spoke of his dad's passing in a stoic manner, but with acceptance. I knew Shawn was raised in church. His dad was a wedding singer, among other things. I knew he had given Shawn a faith.
It was about a year after the death of his father that Shawn was in the library with his teacher from a day group for disabled adults. She said Shawn had been very lonly and depressed, and reminded me once I had spoken of taking him to church. I took Shawn's number down, and said I would try to do that soon.
The following Sunday morning I thought of Shawn. I could not find his telephone number. When I walked into the kitchen of my apartment, there on the kitchen table was the small folded piece of paper I had written his name and telephone number down on, unfolded and open as if an angel had placed it before me, two feet from the telephone. I could not believe it. I called the number and reached the board and made arrangements to pick Shawn up. On the way to church we spoke about his family. He told me he had two half sisters. He said his wonderful father was his second father, and that because he was not born perfect his parents had not wanted him. I thought of the courage of people taking on the challenge of a special needs child, and told ?Shawn that God had sent him to his second parents and wanted him to have the best. He said that is what his sisters had told him; that God had sent him to the family.
That particular Sunday morning, I chose a favorite church that had a large congregation and awesome upbeat music; a choir, trumpets, keyboard, drums and piano as part of the service. After a series of songs, the congregation was encouraged to mingle, shake hands, hug and greets each other as part of the service. It was at this part of the service, that Sunday morning, that I got to see love in action. Many people came over to Shawn and shook his hand and went out of their way to make him feel welcome. Shawn smiled and walked down the aisle shaking one hand, then another. As he did, a beautiful young woman, smiling and shaking hands with members of the congregation walked along keeping a steady pace, took Shawn's hand and shook it warmly, then almost without a pause, kissed him on the cheek, and walked on. I was deeply moved by her gesture, because it was obvious she did this without thought. I knew in my heart I had seen the sweetest kiss. Shawn smiled, or did he blush? I knew somehow God was smiling. It was awesome to see...it was awesome to feel...Love in action! It was a glorious morning...a good day...the day of the Sweetest Kiss. Blessed are the pure in heart.
JENNIFER GRANT