A glimpse into heaven

Something happened to me at work today that I will never forget.  I was doing my regular deal walkin' around the store greeting customers.  Got to the deli and bakery section and there was a kid in a wheelchair sitting in a peculiar position due to physical handicap.  He suffered from a mental one, too.  At least that was the way I used to think of it.  Our conversation changed that perception for me for the rest of my life.  His speech wasn't the smoothest out there and so everything that he said you could tell it was well worth it to him to say.

I was talking for a minute to some workers behind the counter; turned around to leave and backtrack toward the bank and he rolled up in his wheelchair.  He asked me my name and I told him.  Then I asked him his.  He stumbled through it.  Then he told me he was 20 years old.  Impressive, I thought.  Good for him.  Then he said that he wanted to be my friend.  I told him that I would love that.  I could see his mom still up close to the counter looking back taking note of our conversation, but still staying mostly focused on what she was doing there. I better get back to work, I thought.  I started trying to slowly move away to gesture that our conversation was coming to a close.  He continued, "Will you be my friend?" each word coming out one second at a time.

I told him I would love to be his friend.  There was a light in his eyes that I've never seen before at such simple words.  His entire face and countenance beamed like I would imagine I would look like if I had just won both showcase showdowns on The Price Is Right.  He said that he's looking forward...he's looking forward to being friends with me for the rest of his life...and then...without skipping a beat; without one moment of doubt or hesitation in his spirit, he said, "...and also when we get to heaven."

Tears.  Even as I'm sitting here typing this, almost.  But certainly as I stood there completely taken prisoner by the faith, hope, and love in that young man.  We talked a little bit after that but I honestly don't remember what was said.  Eventually his mom finished what she was doing at the counter and I made sure to tell her that what just happened made my entire day, week, month, year,...whatever.  It's not important.  Here's what is.  I'll never forget him.  Ever.  He'll be one of the first ones I look for on that day.