When I attended Reidman's kindergarten graduation, Thursday evening in Lubbock, I dropped Memama and Pepa off as close to the front doors as possible.


Pepa is still complaining of no wind. Hello, when Memama was in the hospital after Pepa crushed her hand between the farm tractor and the hitch clevis of the plow, Pepa didn't want to take his diuretic. Bad move. He'll pay for it. Last time they put him in the hospital to "tune" him up, meaning get some water off him.


I am not very sympathetic for poor decisions.


After dropping them off, I began looking for a parking place. No small task. After exiting the parking lot and rounding the corner, I spotted a place along the curb. I could have entered a small lot with one exit, but was fearful of getting blocked in, so I opted for the street. I parked and locked the car and began my walk to the building.


A mother and her daughter crossed ahead of me, the daughter holding to her mother's arm while walking at an extremely rapid pace, the Mother was talking to the daughter and all the sudden made a sharp turn to a double door. I watched, wondering if they knew where they were going. The door was open, so I followed. Inside they immediately vanished.


I went on to the cafetorium, where Rian waited on me with a chair.


Shortly the program began, first with Ms. B making a few announcements and then the processional began. Reidman's kindergarten was composed of three classes. Reid's class marched in first followed by the next class led by their teacher, who was escorting the little girl I had seen with her mother outside. After that the third class came and took their seats.


We were seated along the wall, just three or four feet from the first students in each class.


It became very evident, the little girl I had witnessed rushing to the building with her mother, who walked into the assembly escorted by her teacher, was blind.


When I first saw her and her mother, I was behind them, but I never thought for a moment that the daughter was blind, especially at the speed they were traveling.


I retrospect, it was amazing the difference in confidence held between the little girl and her mother, and the much lower confidence level she held with her teacher. I am sure the conversation I witnessed, but did not hear was the mother telling the daughter where they were and what was ahead. No doubt, the girl told her mother to go through the doors to speed up their trip.


The little girl, was very energetic, as Reid's class completed their presentation and crossing the stage, the audience burst into applause. This little girl clapped more vigorously than anyone.


Then it was her classes time to cross the stage and the row stood and began moving toward the stage. The little blind girl led the class along with her escort. We were close enough to hear the teacher, "Step, step, step", as they rose to stage level. Just for good measure the little girl took one extra high step. As she was announced she began across the stage, and you could tell she was not totally comfortable with the hollow sound the stage gave as she walked. After receiving her certificate, she was led by an aid to a seat on the opposite end of her row. When her class was through, and the audience honored them with applause, the little blind girl joined in.


Finally, the last class completed their crossing of the stage and returned to their seats, serenaded by the vigorous applause of the crowd. Once again the little blind girl energetically clapped.


There were a few final closing words before the graduates exited to the song Celebrate, get down! All of the graduates were dancing and jiving as they exited. The little blind girl was no exception, as she danced her way from the room.


I couldn't help getting teary eyed. Not about the first grandson finishing kindergarten, but for the little girl. Reid is blessed that he has all his faculties, and somehow for me, his accomplishment pales in comparison to what his blind classmate accomplished.


I talked with Rian and Erica briefly about the little girl, and I had questions about the quality of education she would receive there compared to maybe private school, specialized in this area. Rian explained the school district educates the lower classes in their neighborhood school, but when they get to Middle School and High School they are bused to a single campus specializing in special needs students.


I guess, seeing this little girl may have re-opened some wounds. Of course this would not be our family's first rodeo with interacting with blindness. To a certain extent, we all were exposed to the trials Chris has had to face and continues to face. I do know that what little sight Chris has, even though he is legally blind, is a blessing.


I have lots of questions.


I think back to Earl McMillan, probably my favorite Bible professor at ACU before he was ousted (for me even after he was ousted). We use to ask him some difficult question and he would remove a small spiral notebook from his pocket and write it down. This little notebook held all the questions he had for GOD.


I know that GOD is loving and merciful, but I wonder what made him let there be disease, and disability in this world. Why is their pain and suffering?


FATHER, I don't mean to doubt YOU, but my heart hurts when I see some of these people who suffer with blindness, deafness, and other diminished capacities. I know that I learn every time I observe or work with one of these people, but I still question the fairness to them. Forgive me. Help me to learn from them. Thank YOU for my blessings, for my children's, for my grandchildren's. FATHER I pray for the confidence displayed by the little blind girl as her mother led her. Where YOU lead I will follow.