January 22, 2013
-
The Simple Ones
This past Sunday as I backed up beside one of our stores in western Virginia, I saw Daniel was standing outside waiting for his ride to church. As I got out of the truck, I hollered across to him, "Mornin' Daniel!" From that moment, I was treated to a monologue crossing subjects from football and work the whole way to religion, until just before I began to put away my things to head to the next stop, his ride arrived. Daniel is simple. I'm not sure what that involves, since he looks as normal as just about any other Appalachian twenty five year old and has no noticeable speech defect, but his simplicity becomes glaringly obvious when you engage him in conversation. Maybe I should say when he engages you, because if he is in your presence for twenty seconds, you will be engaged. We all know a Daniel, a simple person who can mostly care for themselves, but is somewhat limited in their ability to function autonomously. I can think of several people like this who have walked across the stage of my life, and when I think about it, I realize that in the balance most likely they contributed to my life more than I contributed to theirs.
I remember a man we called Dusty. He had a speech defect, but he could always be seen riding his bicycle around town pulling a lawnmower behind. If you flagged him down, he would always, for a few dollars, mow your lawn or repair any small engine you couldn't get running. He would work each summer, at the Wesleyan family camp as the night watchman and bell ringer, and if you snuck out of the dormitory at night with your friends, you'd most likely be caught by Dusty and brought to your parents to account for your misdeeds. To my shame, I remember sometimes making fun of the way he spoke, when I was hanging around with my friends. It would make him angry when he overheard, and he would give us an earful, but it never dulled his affection for us. Next time he saw you, he'd wave hi and stop and talk. I won't try to romanticize the lives of these people, and I imagine it must be a super difficult life to live for both the simple people and those who are entrusted with their care.
Though I know the conversation will be very inconvenient and awkward, I look forward to the days when for one reason or another Daniel is standing outside when I arrive to deliver to a certain store in western Virginia.
Do you have a Daniel or a Dusty in your life? Can you imagine a world without them? Thank God for them all. My life is richer for having shared it with Daniel and Dusty and Zack and Austin and Uncle Jimmy and the other Daniel. Wow, this list could go on! I hope at least a few of them can say their life has been enriched for having known me.
Comments (9)
I have had some acquaintances that like to communicate, but their thinking is somehow missing the point in what they are talking about. People are interesting for sure. Sounds like you had a couple that way, but respected them and their feelings.
Have a great weekend,
frank
Another aspect of diversity that we all need to honor!
Beautiful entry. Yes I have known several Daniels. And Danielles. They are SUCH beautiful people. They embody unconditional love. Thank you for reminding me.
It is refreshing sometimes to just boil things down to the simple purpose. I suppose it is easier to write on simple stuff but actually it is genius to write in a simple way.
I've had the pleasure of knowing these folks too, my life is richer because of them.
I call them the "gentle ones." And if you do have one in your life, consider yourself blessed. We have a son who is ADHD and diagnosed as border-line retarded. He is also gay. Although he faces many challenges in life, he faces them with a smile and a happy attitude. We should all be lucky enough to have a "simple one" in our lives.
a good reminder we can all learn from one another~
beautiful post, dan.
Those simple people gives us lesson of deep humaneness. My wife has worked during some years with mental handicapped and continues once a month now. She always said they brought her much
In friendship
Michel
RYC : Yes it always is useful to have a shovel in the truck !