New Level of Maturity In a Small World

I will admit something about myself I'm not proud of that I know other people feel the same way. Whenever I see a retarded person of any sort, I just want to avoid them and not make eye contact with them. Again, I'm not proud of this, but facts are facts. Well, several months ago, I was brought to tears while watching the movie, "Radio." It didn't make me want to change professions and become a special education teacher or anything, but it forced me (through media, albeit) to connect with a retarded person, and it was very moving. A month or two after watching this, Jenn and I went to the Rider football playoff game in Denton against Aledo, and when the Aledo team entered the field, a student in a wheelchair followed them out onto the field. I thought that was pretty cool since that's what "Radio" did, and still does to this day, though he's not confined to a wheelchair. Well, yesterday as I'm walking Karissa into her new school, a little boy about 8 or 9 who appears to have downs syndrome was greeting everyone at the door. He was such a happy kid, and it was very obvious that the students loved him. So as we arrive at the door, he very respectfully says to me "You look very nice, sir." Im wearing a suit and tie. I kindly thanked him and didn't think much of it as I raced down the hall with Karissa trying to beat the tardy bell. As I'm leaving, I walk out the door, and he's still there, and he reaches out his hand for me to shake and says again "Sir, you look very nice!" So, I went against all my previous tendencies to ignore, avoid, and not make eye contact with this little guy, and I shook his hand, smiled intently at him and said "Well thank you sir, you have a nice day." Walking to my truck, I could hear other people exchanging very friendly greetings with this boy, and I must admit, I was somewhat moved. So this morning as I walk Karissa to the front door, I see him greeting everyone at the door again. I smile when he sees me, because with a wide-eyed grin he says "Wow! That's a cool outfit!" I thank him and tell him he has some pretty cool sunglasses on. After dropping Karissa off at her class, I head back to the front door and there is "Nick". He tells me again I have a cool outfit, and he shows me his shirt to see if I like it. I tell him I think it's a cool shirt, hold out my hand for him to give me a five, and tell him to take care. As I'm pulling out in my truck, I see that he has found a dirty diaper that has fallen (hopefully on accident) out of someone's car...he picks up and starts saying EWWWWW while he holds his nose, still holding on to the diaper with the other hand. It was hilarious! I look forward to seeing him again tomorrow.

Being in such good spirits after leaving school, I stop by the donut shop before leaving Saginaw, and I get 2 dozen donuts to take to work for my coworkers and I. Needless to say, they were all gone by 3pm, and it felt good to have everyone thank me for bringing them! I know what you're thinking...you think I was kissing up for losing $100 of the companies' money! HA!

I went to the bank today after the market closed to deposit my paycheck. It was a very enjoyable walk, as the weather was beautiful, and the streets were buzzing with activity. I love downtown Ft. Worth!! So as I hand my check and deposit slip to the teller, I notice another girl beside her, and she says to me, "I had to come over here to be nosy...did you just move to Willow Vista?" Somewhat perplexed, I say, "Yes...why?" She's our neighbor!! HA! WOW! Small world! She recognized me when I walked in the door, so she had to see if I was her neighbor! Her and her family just moved to our block recently, but they live several houses down. Her and her husband have an 11yr old girl and a 7yr old boy. I told her maybe Karissa and her 7yr old could play. She said yeah, and maybe we'll have a babysitter in a few years! Anyway, we talked for a few minutes and as I was leaving the bank I thanked her for being nosy! HA! That would be cool if we get to know them!

We didn't watch Survivor or Apprentice tonight, but have no fear! I Tivo'd them! WAHOO! I even set it up to record those shows every week...and it will even record them if they change days or times! TIVO ROCKS!! Well, have a happy April Fool's Day!