The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth

I was tempted to use a pseudonym but either you know her or you don't.

And if you know her, a pseudonym wouldn't matter. You'd recognize her anywhere.

Her name is Dawn. For reasons not known to me, Dawn is in a wheel chair. A visit to the Cathedral wouldn't be complete without seeing Dawn and her service dog Gizmo whizzing around, socializing, helping people.

Until today, I pitied Dawn. Her plight is not enviable. She's permanently wheel chair bound. No family nearby. No college. No prospects for a job in today's economic climate. She lives on a dime.

But Dawn does not pity herself.

After Mass, I had a chance to get to know her for the first time. Her struggles are real yet Dawn has chosen to embrace her opportunities rather than wallow in helplessness. She's a certified Sunday School teacher. She's an active member of the women's society...and get this: she drives her wheelchair (Gizmo in tow) to and from the Cathedral -- year round, rain or snow, day or night -- several times a week. This is no small feat. Dawn lives more than two miles away, in the downtown area, and must cross several wide busy streets along her journey. And where we live, it's gets pretty darn cold and snowy in the winter.

In fact, Dawn has a "take no prisoners" approach to wheelchair travel. She's not self-conscious about her disability. She's not afraid to own the sidewalk she traverses. I shudder to think of the verbal lashings she gives out to those who drive inconsiderately. I get the sense that Dawn's travel autonomy is a point of personal pride for her -- one of the few things she can lay full claim to.

Even so, I will start praying today for her safe travels and also pray that she has decades of travel ahead.

Dawn was simply not dealt the best in life, yet she makes the best of it in a truly Christian manner. I hope, pray when the time comes when Dawn will need more help (and it will come) that I and my fellow parishioners will be Christian enough to help her as she has helped herself and helped others.

Amen.

BTW -- Gizmo is a wonderful and devoted dog full of character, not so unlike Dawn.