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 major quizzes the following day, and I had soccer practice at night which meant I would be getting home around 10:00 p.m. As I was sitting around studying and 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 popping up and fixing my attitude when it needs an adjustment. So, as I watched Joe’s dad help him get into the car and fold up Joe's 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 both nervous and excited 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 opportunity and excited to hang out with him again. Joe was again that angel reminding me of St. Francis of Assisi’s words, “It is in the giving that we receive”.

Who is your Joe? Have you reached out yet? If not, what's holding you back?

If you want to learn more about Joe's condition (KSS) or donate to the research foundation, please do so at UMDF