Swan Mom: June 2016

Last year, my husband Wes came home from work with a computer in his hands, and he set it up on the desk in our room. This was a much-needed and much-appreciated offering, since the computer I had been using had a lot of problems and seemed to be going swiftly downhill.

This “new” computer was not really new – it was a used one from his office. It still functioned very well, but there was one problem. Some of the keys on its keyboard (half of them actually – I just counted!) had been used so much that the letters were illegible. This might not be a issue for many people – people who, for example, know how to type. But I don't. (And I think I'm too old to learn.)

But, determined to make it work, I found an orange bumper sticker we had picked up somewhere, cut the edges of it into little squares, and stuck them on the obliterated keys. Then I used a black marker to write the letters on the stickers.

The result of my task was a usable, but rather wacky-looking keyboard. I took a picture of it and put it on Facebook.

I received a number of fun responses to the picture, and one invitation: My friend Jenny challenged me to write a poem using only the stickered keys.

I dared not defy her ultimatum.

Some of you know that I have dabbled in poetry-writing in the past. And my poetry is generally mediocre in quality. But this time, I couldn't even summon a mediocre poetry muse. I wrote a ridiculously insipid little verse and posted it under the keyboard picture. But my sad literary attempt received many accolades from my audience. (Note: I will not vex you with the actual poem here. If you really want to read it, click here.)

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A few years ago, I met a delightful comrade at the cancer center where I receive my weekly treatment. This new friend was a lovely older woman who was almost completely blind. She had learned to recognize people by their voices and the sound of their footsteps. She spent her time there at the center looping and knotting yarn to cover wire hangers. I watched with admiration and wonder as her stiff, aged fingers worked steadily. She told me that her friends and neighbors were always generous in giving her hangers and yarn, so she could keep her hands busy and productive while she sat. Twice during our time together, she gave me the hanger she was working on.

I have shown these hangers to a few people, without revealing their history, and the reactions have not been positive.

I know that these are not beautiful to the uninformed eye. But I treasure those two hangers. I keep them and appreciate them, for perhaps the same reason people praised my poem: the recognition that this was the work of someone who was limited, and who was doing the best she could with what she had.

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We are all limited in some way. Some have limitations that are more obvious, easier to see on the outside, while some weaknesses are hidden and harder to see. But whatever they are, our loving God understands our weakness and is willing to work with us as we are.

And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. (Exodus 4:10 – 12)

God is not the God of superheroes, nor of people without weaknesses. Such beings do not exist! God helps people like you and me, those who recognize their limits and the weakness of their condition and seek His help and guidance. Failing to recognize our limitations will block our progression. On the other hand, accepting them humbly lays the foundation for eternal progression. (Gérald Caussé, Presiding Bishop, LDS church) ¹

Is it not possible to look beyond the canes, the wheelchairs, the braces, and the crutches into the hearts of the people who have need of these aids? They are human beings and want only to be treated as ordinary people. They may appear different, move awkwardly, and speak haltingly, but they have the same feelings. They laugh, they cry, they know discouragement and hope. They do not want to be shunned. They want to be loved for what they are inside, without any prejudice for their impairment. Can there not be more tolerance for differences—differences in capacity, differences in body and in mind? (Elder James E. Faust) ²

The limitations that are the natural consequence of advancing age can in fact become remarkable sources of spiritual learning and insight. (Elder David A. Bednar) ³

As in all things, the Savior shows us the way. He consistently served those inneed, without judging them for their handicaps.

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam . . . He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. (John 9:1 - 7)

The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. (Matthew 11:5)

It is the Lord's way to look at the weak with compassion, and to help them – not to ignore or avoid them.

Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.
For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you.
And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.
And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears. (3 Nephi 17:1 – 10)

Of course, we don't have the power that Jesus had to cure. But we do have some power to help. Our ability to help in a real way starts with compassion, acceptance, and willingness.

Never look down on those who are less perfect than you. Don’t be upset because someone can’t sew as well as you, can’t throw as well as you, can’t row or hoe as well as you. We are all children of our Heavenly Father. And we are here with the same purpose: to learn to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. (Joseph B. Wirthlin, April 2005)

So, what do Gladys Knight and these hangers have in common? They both teach the same lesson:

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Sometimes life is like a neighborhood potluck dinner, where everyone brings something different to the table.

When we look without judgment at those who seem different from us, we can see the beauty in their offerings, and feel the compassion and the love that our Savior offers us all. And that's when the joy comes.