ONe to one: bug off!!

by Keith Burden, executive secretary, National Association of Free Will Baptists

The 1993 Free Will Baptist National Convention met in Louisville, Kentucky. Our family arrived early to vacation in nearby Cincinnati, Ohio. It was an action-packed week as we attended a major league baseball game, visited an amusement park, and enjoyed other local attractions.

One day in particular stands out in my memory—the day we took a riverboat cruise along the Ohio River. As we waited to embark, we looked at historical memorabilia displayed in the boarding area.

Suddenly, the door opened, and a noisy group crowded into the room. Before long, we were surrounded by young people with Downs Syndrome and the sponsors that accompanied them. These friendly folks were full of curiosity and free of inhibitions. They quickly introduced themselves and asked us lots of questions.

Our older daughter especially intrigued one young lady. “Hi, my name is Melissa,” she said. “What’s your name?” For one awkward moment, our daughter gave us one of those “please help me” looks as Melissa tried to hold her hand. We reassured her and encouraged her to not be afraid.

Just then, Albert, one of the young men in the group, walked over and introduced himself. Obviously annoyed by his intrusion, Melissa instructed him to “scram—bug off!” She had no intention of sharing her new friend with Albert. A sponsor noticed the situation and moved to intervene. Melissa crouched and hid behind our daughter. “It’s okay to talk to people, but you can’t touch them,” the sponsor gently reminded her.

Minutes later we boarded the riverboat for an unforgettable one-hour cruise. Frankly, we enjoyed interacting with those extraordinary, young men and women more than we enjoyed the sights along the river. We were reminded that the greatest experiences in life are sometimes disguised as interruptions. It was refreshing to share the cruise with people who were not afraid to be themselves. They reminded us that we talk to our loved ones too seldom, that it’s okay to hold hands or hug your family, even in public. And they didn’t worry about making an impression. They simply enjoyed being together.

This was one of our last family vacations before our oldest daughter graduated from high school. Opportunities to make memories with your family are rare and pass too quickly. We need to make the most of them.

I have a confession to make. I don’t remember a single sermon preached in Louisville that year. But our family has never forgotten Melissa and the lessons we learned from her and her special friends.

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