Impressive and Moving

Last Friday, I was both impressed and moved!! I had the opportunity and blessing to attend the graduation ceremony at the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in Smyrna. I was there to watch one of my good buddies graduate with his certification in Automobile Service and Detailing. I will have to admit this was one of those things we do as a friend and mentor that sometimes we take for granted. I was not really overjoyed at the thought of setting through yet another graduation ceremony, but needless to say, I wanted and needed to be there for support.

I don't know if any of you out there are familiar with TRC or its program, but it is a full functioning Rehab center for both the physically and mentally handicapped. There is a wide range in capacity at TRC in both areas. Many of the people who attend TRC are handicapped mentally to the point that college is not an option, so they come to TRC and learn a trade that can help them lead a successful and meaningful lifestyle!! On the other hand, there are some there who have experienced physical handicaps and just need some help learning how to function in an everyday setting!! Regardless which category an individual falls in TRC is a great place!!

Once I entered the gym I was immediately humbled by the attitude of accomplishment and satisfaction that was on the faces of all the graduates, current students, teachers, and parents. This was a BIG DEAL to everyone in attendance. I am one that is usually able to fully appreciate and respect whatever is going on regardless of my feelings or emotions, but today was different, today I did not have to put on that fake face. I was deeply moved! I could now sit in my seat as a parent to a healthy baby girl, I could now understand what it meant to be a parent, I could now understand what it meant to love and care for someone so much that words cannot explain, and I could now understand how proud they were because of the things these people had accomplished!! This was a BIG DEAL and it was worth every moment!!

It had been a little over 3 months since I had cried that much. It was kind of embarrassing, since I did not know anyone in the room, but I was moved to tears over and over again. The first time came when a man in a wheel chair who was paralyzed was called to the stage. He had been at TRC for some physical training and had regained some movement in his legs. He wanted to walk to receive his diploma....and he did....he took one hard fought step and the place exploded, a complete standing ovation and it was WELL deserved!!

I know God takes us to places that we need to go, and I am well aware that God led me to Smyrna and to TRC last Friday. I have been so blessed in my life with more abilities that I could ever use and this was a reminder of how I should be thankful!! You know one day when we all get to our great reward in the sky, we will all be on an equal playing field, and those who were at TRC Friday will be there and I cannot wait to see them and talk to them and just be so very thankful that God has brought them home, to a place where one step is no longer a huge accomplishment....but that they can run wide open on the those streets of gold!!

I am Blessed,
Nick