Joy

 

            The clouds created a beautiful layer of contrast to the mountain peaks that they surrounded, hovered over by a glorious blue sky and the glowing orange orb of sun. The three ancient men walked in unison on the highest peak scanning over the horizon, making note of the hundreds of golden threads that reached from the blue sky through the clouds and onto the same number of individuals at ground level.

              The eldest among them called for the attention of the other two, pointing into the distance as a new golden thread appeared, puncturing through the clouds. “Gentlemen, we have a new arrival of one of the special ones. We will give them a few years to mature before we visit them with their instructions.”

              “Oh, thank goodness, we can always use more special people among these savages that live on the ground below us,” one of them said. “From this angle, they seem to be living in eastern Europe. Oh, that reminds me that we still have yet to visit our latest addition from five years ago. I think he will be ready to begin his work.”

              In a single swift movement, the three men began their descent from the mountain top to enter the city wherein lived the previous addition to the special ones. “This will take us a great deal of time to walk to his home and find the right place and time to speak with him,” the other said. “I believe at this age he will be ready to begin. There is something extra special about this young man.”

              The three parted ways and took various routes to arrive at their destination. In an amazing synchronicity, they arrived at the edge of the city at the same time and began their short walk to the boy’s school. They arrived mere moments before the lunch bell rang and the youngest among them approached the little boy, introduced himself and spoke in short sentences with small words and a smile.

“Hello Wallace,” he said. “You have been chosen to take on a special responsibility with everyone you meet. You are one of the few people who have a good and kind heart, with these things you will be able to draw close to others, love them, encourage them, and help them move toward lives that are good and right.”

              He and the boy made eye contact, shook hands, and he confirmed that he would always be available to help him with this responsibility. All that Wallace needed to do was to ask for help and direction, if he was ever unsure about what to say or what to do. “All you need to do is to say, “please help me” and I will answer you.”

              Wallace smiled at the man, shook hands a second time, and returned to his classroom when the lunch bell rang a second time. He took his seat near the front of the room and was immediately approached by his teacher. “Good afternoon, Wallace,” he said, “do you know that man who was talking to you?”

              “No, I don’t,” he answered. “He said I have been given a special responsibility to love people, to be kind to people, and to help them do what is good and right.”

              “Well, if there was anyone who could do that job, it would be you,” the teacher said, looking into the eyes of the Down Syndrome child before him. “I know you will do a very good job with this responsibility. I encourage you to talk to your parents about what this man shared with you. I’m sure they can help you begin this responsibility that he gave you. I believe in you, Wallace.”

              The school day ended and Wallace waited in the classroom for his mother to pick him up for the day. When she arrived, he gave her a vigorous hug, took her hand and walked with her out to their car. He buckled himself into his seat and as they drove away, he began to tell his mother about the conversation he had with the man and with his teacher.

              “He was a very nice, man,” he said. “He gave the responsibility to love people, to be kind to people, and to help everyone I know to do what is good and right.”

              “That is an important responsibility,” his mother answered. “If anyone can do it, I know you can. And honestly, you already do that and always have. Your beautiful smiling face always brings joy to those with whom you interact. Please be careful when strangers speak to you. Let me know if you see this man again.”

              They arrived home and Wallace helped his mother prepare dinner for that evening. Two hours later, his father arrived home, and Wallace retold the story that he had told his mother.

              “I know you can do it, Wallace,” his father said. “Please be careful with anyone you speak to or spend time with. Sometimes people will seem nice, but they actually aren’t. Your mother and I will always be here for you and can help you if you have questions.”

              After dinner, Wallace cleared the table, put the leftover food into Tupperware containers, wiped off the table, and lay down on his bed to think about all that had been said to him on this day. The mystery man seemed very nice, his teacher was especially helpful, and his parent’s loved him deeply. All of this swirled about in his simple mind, stirring up ideas and plans about how to be helpful to those he knew.

              Because he had such a love for everyone and found great joy in doing the simplest of tasks, knowing that others found these things mundane and distracting, he made the decision to take on as many of these little things as he could. He decided to begin visiting with the elderly woman who lived next door, because he knew that she was alone most of the time and had no family to care for her.

              The joy welled up within him as he thought about the smiles and laughter he so often experienced when he interacted with friends and family. He was content with taking on the work that others did not want to do, knowing that the little bit he could contribute would be appreciated by those he loved and who loved him. As the years slowly crept by, he continued to increase the help he offered to those around him.

              On his twelfth birthday, the mystery man he met at lunch on that school day appeared at his door with a birthday present and very kind words that he was very pleased with the good, hard work that Wallace was doing. “You are doing a very good thing, Wallace,” he said. “The impact you are having on these people is far greater than you understand. Your kind words, your smiles, and your assistance to them is helping them move toward that which is good and right.”

              “Thank you, sir,” Wallace answered. “I wish I could do more.”

              “You are doing a very good job,” he said. “I wanted you to know that there are many other just like you all around the world who are doing the same work as you. I also wanted to share that your efforts and volume of work far surpasses all others with whom we interact."

              "Thank you, sir," Wallace said.

              "Continue on the path you are on,” he said. “Your goodness and kindness are helping so many people, and without you knowing it, you are training them to do the same with their own lives. You are a living example of love for one’s neighbor. I know your parents are very proud of you.”

              “Thank you, sir,” Wallace said.

              The little boy turned into a responsible adult, graduated from high school and started a job as a stock boy at the local grocery store, which gave him the opportunity to interact with so many more people. His boss gave him a raise every month for the great work he was doing, for his wonderful people skills, and shared with him that more customers than he could count praised him for being such a great person.”

              Wallace was restocking the soup aisle when he saw a young lady about his age, who looked a great deal like him, approach him with a question about where to find the boxes of potato flakes. He took her hand, smiled at her, introduced himself, and said, “You and I are a lot alike. The potato flakes are on aisle seven. Here, follow me, I can show you where they are.”

              “Thank you, Wallace,” she said.

              “What is your name,” he asked. “Can I have your phone number? I would like to spend some time with you and get to know you better. Because we are so much alike. We could be great friends and together we can accomplish many good things. You can help me and I can help you. It is not good to be alone.”

              “Yes, of course, Wallace,” she said. Wallace offered her his phone, and she entered her number and name. She returned his phone, gave him a hug and said that she would love to spend time with him.

              “Please call me as soon as you can,” she said. “I know that we can be good friends. Don’t make me wait too long.”

              “I will call you tonight,” he said. “Maybe we can go out for coffee on Sunday morning after church. I would really like that.”

              She squeezed his hand, smiled at him again, and gave him another hug.

              Wallace smiled but also felt sad as she walked away.