Lessons in the Silence

Nothing Like a Best Buddy!

This was a great weekend.  I was invited to speak at the Best Buddies, Intl. Leadership Conference.  Best Buddies was founded by Anthony Kennedy-Shriver to create one-to-one friendships with individuals who have intellectual disabilities.  Student leaders, who run the Best Buddies Chapter at their high school or college throughout the United States, gathered for their Annual Student Leadership Conference.  I love student audiences ... so speaking with over 1200 student leaders was a real privilege this weekend.

But the defining experience of the weekend was having the opportunity to work with two different groups of intellectually disabled participants on helping them develop their presentation skills.  It is hard walking away from this weekend without truly wondering who in this world really has a disability.  I don’t know if I have ever been in front of a group that has paid more attention, asked better questions, shown endless enthusiasm and tireless participation.  I don’t know if I have ever had the privilege to work with a group of participants that had such respect for each other and who have given such honest, yet encouraging feedback. 

 

The sudden bursts of joy and enthusiasm left you defenseless in deeply filling your mind, heart and soul with complete joy.  Love came in unconditional doses … so you receive it even if you don’t deserve it.  We laughed a lot and as I presented I learned to ride our experience together like a surf-board.  It was simply that much of an adventure.

 

I departed feeling completely filled … wanting to love more and judge less.  I also left wondering how the average person, including me, could fall so short of the real qualities of life … and turn-around and consider these wonderful people disabled.  If you want to learn more about a Best Buddies Chapter in your area, just go to www.bestbuddies.org.

Celebrating Independence ... and those who make it possible.

This morning I received an email from a great friend.  Just three years ago, David Fahrenkrug and I could sit and enjoy a 3-hour lunch in Oakbrook IL.  We could sit and cover a number of topics from family to trends, world events to faith, and the journey of life itself.  At the time, the Air Force was putting David through a doctorate program at the University of Chicago.  Last month the Air Force gave him another assignment --- the command of the 379th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron in the Middle East.  I know if I was serving in the Middle East, I would want to be under David's command.  He is one of the smartest, substantive, authentic and faith-filled individuals that I have met in my life.  With his beautiful family back in the USA, it reminded me how much sacrifice has been endured to provide the independence we celebrate today. 

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, today, I will be gratefully celebrating our freedom (which oh so many take fully for granted) and I will be thinking of David and all the men and women who are serving in danger's way.  I pray they will be kept safe and, sooner rather than later, they will be able to celebrate the Fourth of July at home with their families back in the USA!