Last week, something showed up on Facebook that will forever be etched in my mind. The picture told more than a thousand words. Picture with me seeing a cute loveable cuddly 10-month old baby boy wrapping his arms around a 50-something woman. The woman, however, seemed to be staring off into the distance, limp, with no expression. Here is what the caption read:
"If you ever wondered what unconditional love looked like, here is a picture. This is Kevin Fay, giving his Grandma Lori a big hug. Lori has Young Onset Alzheimer's disease. She can't hold Kevin, say his name, sing him a song, read him a book or bake him a cookie. Kevin doesn't care. The second he is held in Lori's lap, he hugs Lori with his whole body and soul. I think it was Jesus who said if anyone wanted to truly comprehend God's kingdom of love, all one needed to do was pay attention to the way little children lived their lives. I think I'll pay attention to Kevin more closely." Gil Wesley
Gil, Lori's husband, a former All-American football center from Florida State, has walked a tough road. His college sweetheart and first wife, Debbie, died of brain cancer in her thirties, leaving behind two small children. Now, Lori, lives in a care facility in Chico, California, where Young Onset Alzheimer's has taken over her life. Here is one guy who has experienced his share of pain in life. Yet, on Facebook, he's giving us a glimpse of what really matters. A teachable moment, if you will, for all to see. Priceless.
Someone posted below the picture "How can a picture break my heart and warm me all the way to my bones at the same time?" Someone else wrote "Thanks for catching God working in Kevin and sharing it with us all." Another friend wrote Gil, it behooves all of us to see, grasp and embrace this unadulterated love of a child. It's true....kids really are, in their unique way, powerful, genuine and lovely in moments like this."
Could it be that we get so caught up in our own adult world that we forget the simplicity and unconditional love of a child? As we "grow up", do we lose the freedom to simply love with no conditions? We can learn so much from a child. Go ahead, reach out and love freely today. Really love. No strings attached love. Become like a child.
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18
Nancy Abbott serves as the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio
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