Adults, not just children, say the darndest things...

The day I stuck plastic up my nose was when it started. The plastic wasn't my choice nor going into public but both had to be done. In fact it took probably 3 months of wearing my new head gear before I went anywhere in public and then I'd sit only in the car. I took little steps like that for months until I had enough courage to be a public display. I would try playing games in my mind like nobody can see the cord or nobody is looking. As time passes, like most trials, it gets easier. Many days I don't think about the oxygen but others, it is a constant reminder. You NEVER get used to it. I still try leaving the house without it about once a month.

The thing that catches me off guard, still, in public, isn't the stares. It isn't even the kids loudly asking, "What's wrong with her?" over and over again at the top of their lungs while parents ignore their requests and now everyone is looking. (Very common in the grocery store. Almost every time I go in one.) Or even the complete stranger who is also on oxygen and wants to compare drug lists and oxygen reqirements. (Also a grocery store thing, usually in produce.) The worst thing is the comments from ignorant adults. These are far more rare, about once a year, and perhaps that's the reason it catches me so off guard. Not only do we expect more from adults but experience has to count for something and some adults out there, I'm concerned to say, have learned just about nothing in their 40+ years. Like when to keep their mouth shut.

For example, a few months ago Don and I were running into Home Depot and a women approached us in the parking lot to ask us if we were aware that we had parked in a handicap parking stall. Mind you I am standing there with plastic up my nose and Don holding my tank. We responded in the affirmative and then she proceeded to tell us a long story about her son who parked in a handicap stall illegally and was fined BIG TIME. This story was followed by the look over the spectacles. We finally just walked away.

I had another guy that followed me into the ladies room to tell me that if I just stopped consuming so much sugar, I would loose the weight and the oxygen. He didn't know one thing about me, but he didn't have to, because as he said in his broken english, "I am a doctor." I didn't ask what kind or for a card.

So the first week we are in Florida, we are heading out to our cars (We had Don's family and and another family friend with us) after eating at Wendy's. Just before hitting the door, this stranger approaches me and begins asking questions about my health condition. (At this point I am thinking, "Brace yourself. Here we go again.") He tells me he has been reading this book, (not one I've heard of) about faith and healing. He admits he is just learning more about the book and that I caught his attention when we walked in. He felt compelled to meet me, and pray for me, but wanted to know what to pray for. We talked for a few minutes and then I realized he wanted to pray right NOW. He offered the prayer for me and Don and I think Gail (Don's mom) standing right there in the Wendy's doorway. The prayer was painfully long and uncomfortable. But you know what, I walked away inspired by that man. He was genuinely kind. He wanted to help and had a good heart. I wish that I had the same courage he had to share the gospel with others. He didn't care how dumb he looked or sounded, he just had a job to do and was willing to get it done. Good on him!

So my point today is this, if your going to approach anyone today or ever, lets do it with a heart. Let's be genuine, sincere, and nice of all things. And if we learned one thing from Bambie, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all".