John

A couple months before my discharge I had the opportunity to work with physically and mentally challenged children. Eventually I was in a class with children around the age of 6 or so. In this class was a little boy named John. He always seemed need a hair cut and his appearance was a little unkempt. John was unable to speak but able to make sounds. I'm not sure about his background but I believe it was a little challenging for his family more likely it was they who felt their lives somewhat challenged by him and his disabilities. I took to him right away. I found him to be the sweetest little guy. He was always smiling and if a picture was being taken he was right there with that smile making sure he was in the picture. One day he was in the class room which was empty and there was a word written on the blackboard. He took his fingers and pointed to the word and drew his hand underneath the word and tried to say itr. I just felt then and there that he was just this little guy who probably needed a little more time, love and care and he would just thrive. One day I had a tooth pulled but and went to the school after that. Not a smart move as, of course, there was some bleeding and I really couldn't talk due to that, the numbness, etc. John caught on to the fact I could not speak and really seed to understand what was going on. He wanted to look at my mouth, etc. and just got this big smile on his face. One could not help falling in love with this little man. He was such a joy to be around, always happy and wow, that smile. I have a favorite picture of him where he is making sure he was in the picture and nothing but smiles. I think of him often and wonder how he is and about his life. This was in 1973 so he would be about 49 now but, of course, I still see him as this great little kid who I fell in love with and just wanted to take care of him, love him and make sure he had a happy life. Some may think this is kind a dumb, but I guess if they knew him even as little as I did many would feel the same way. What a little man he was.