I have several stories I wanted to share from our local sport’s show over the weekend but I haven’t had it in me the last few days. My thoughts have been consumed by a little guy I met early Sunday afternoon at the show. He was about 6 or 7 and his communication was sign language.
He and his family were at our booth looking at knives. I watched as his Dad showed him a little pocket knife teaching him how to open and close it. He’d sign to his Dad and then look up at me, I think he was just as fascinated with me as I was with him. I finally bent down to his level and pointed to my lips and I said …
Can you read my lips?
He smiled and shook his head yes.
I smiled and asked a few questions and he’d nod.
With his Dad’s approval, I gave him the pocket knife.
He looked up at me and signed ~ “Thank you” and with the help of his Dad they taught me how to sign ~ “You’re welcome”.
But what has been tugging at my heart these last few days is that the little guy seemed more excited by my sign of you’re welcome than he did about his new pocket knife.
xoxoxo
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Very touching story. Sharing this on fb.
Thanks, Linda!
Communication – no matter the method, is the Intelligence Pathway. No matter, human or animal – communication is how each explains self.
In the early summer of 1966, while at a Summer Camp in Orr, MN, following a baterial infection in both ears and a resultant double-eardrum rupture, I awoke one morning an unwilling member of the world of the deaf. The condition; unknown if reversal would occur or not; held me in the world of total deafness, for a frightening/frustrating/fomulative … 11 months.
I understand better than most who have the power of auditory sensation:hearing: just how much communication means to life.
During my 2 year ordeal (11 months of total -stone-cold-deafness- and the subsequent 14 months of gradual and painful return to hearing ) I was reduced by ignorance and station, to a single source of communication: writing.
I could not sign; did not know braille; and couldn’t read lips to save-my-life. So, in order to communication I was forced to carry a pencil or pen and paper with me everywhere. The depth of patience needed to carry a conversation by writing: though long-hand, and by necessity rather than option: in incomprehensible, until it is forced upon you.
I tried to learn sign – and became ‘barely functional’ at the process. By the time I sensed the possiblilty for a return of hearing, I had learned to not missread lipped sentences so badly. My primary mode of communication, remained the pencil/pen and paper. It is slow; aggravating; intrusive; and a total ‘pain’. Everything communicated is within 3 feet of your and another person’s face. Long-distance is when you lean back!
Few people had the patience to afford me the precious 3 FEET OF UNDERSTANDING, without reciprocating the feeling that I was imposing on their freedom. Like it was my fault or I wanted to be the ‘writing thorn’.
So, yes Jody. I understand. I understand exactly what you read in that little guys eyes. You read appreciation. You read the result of what happens when one human being stops, and takes the time to communicate with another.
Thank you. : )
OFS, Thanks for sharing your story! Hugs to you!!!
Thanks for sharing that Jody…I’m off to reapply my makeup!
Jess, awww me too!!!
Your wonderful!
Great blog and thanks for the laughs last night too!
Thank you, Joan! And always fun chats. Need to do an El Taco Real lunch!
wonderful story- very moving, and to Ofieldstream also a very touching story. Wiping tears as I type.
Janet, thanks for your comment!
He taught you something much more valuable.. <3
He did indeed Stacey.
what a wonderful story and I also appreciate Ofieldstream’s thoughtful and education comment. I’m sure he was excited about your signing You’re Welcome – because you put forth the effort to communicate with him on HIS terms
G, he was the sweetest little guy.
How very sweet. You’re going to ruin your B reputation, of course, but he will probably cherish that knife into adulthood, mostly because it came from your heart.