rEcess

MM: The first Friday of each month, we get to be a part of a great night put on by 99 Balloons. "rEcess" is a 4 hour respite night for special needs families in Northwest Arkansas. It has become a guaranteed highlight of our month. We have been amazed to meet such great families and kiddo's. Each week offers so much to learn as I look at these kids and at our volunteers who give up 4.5 hours on a Friday night to make a child's week. It is without a doubt something we have not done, but, rather been a part of.

This last Friday was, as always, a great night. One thing that struck me, this week in particular, was the willingness by some stellar leaders to enter the world of the child they were working with. Most times, this meant leaving behind the put-together facade we each have honed with years of practice. And by doing so acting, well- foolish.

It takes both humility and grace to undertake such an adventure. You cannot teach a volunteer to seek connection. There is no training manual with instructions regarding leaving all you have come to understand at the door, and re-learn it all as they see it. But many do just that in order to gain a connection, or possibly a smile, from a child who does not naturally connect with the world around him or her.

Humility & grace. A couple of ideals I usually only grasp for, or strain to see in my typical day. But there it was on display, blazing for all who would see. The manifestation made possible only by ones willing to shed respect and become weak- all the while unaware that I was even watching, much less being challenged to leave my own pride behind.