Who is Your Joe?

A few weeks ago, I was feeling very overwhelmed. I stayed after school for a club and I was thinking about the fact that I had four quizzes the following day, plus I had soccer practice at night, which meant I would be getting home around 10:00 p.m. As I was feeling sorry for myself, I noticed a boy, who I will call Joe. Joe doesn’t know it, but he kind of acts as an angel in my life. He has a way of showing up and fixing my attitude when it needs an adjustment. So, as I watched Joe’s dad help Joe get into the car and fold up his wheelchair, I said a prayer for Joe and thanked God for the lesson on gratitude.

A couple years ago, a bone tumor left me out of school for months and sports for a year. Joe deals with far far worse, but in a way, I could relate to the frustration that comes with being a kid who can’t do what everyone else is doing. So, I decided I would put my fear of rejection aside and reach out to his mom. We made a plan for me to visit him over the weekend. I brought nut free ingredients for us to bake and some paper and colored pencils to draw. I had never hung out with Joe, but I knew he loved art.

I was excited but also nervous as I walked up to his door. However, I quickly learned that my worries were a waste. Joe and I had a great time. We talked, laughed, baked, and colored. I left feeling happy that I had just made a new friend and grateful that Joe made time for me with all he has to manage. I left his house grateful for the time we spent together and excited to hang out with him again. Joe was again that angel reminding me, “It is in the giving that we receive”.

Who is your Joe?