Member Poem

        

                    Now there are special classes for those like me--
                    "special-needs" people. That sounds so much  
	            kinder than the harsh terms in use when I was
	            alive: "retarded," "not bright." The people in
	            my little Southern hometown seemed to think
	            such descriptions were acceptable if they were
	            accompanied by "Bless his heart!" 	           
                    Oh, they didn't think I heard, but I did.
                    Most "normal" people in town really loved me;
                    others simply couldn't hide their pity.
                    While those around me went to school and college,
                    played their sports, married, had families, and 
	            went to work, I learned from them, my family, and the
	            town. As I loved the Lord and people, laughed, lived,
                    and grew wise in my own way, I observed some who
	            lived good lives--busy, but not too busy to care and
	            listen. From my sheltered spot, I watched others
                    as they multi-tasked, made money, got promotions,
                    built big houses, and drove expensive cars,
                    but never really listened to anyone except superiors,
 	            who demanded their allegiance. These people
                    failed to care until they couldn't care.

	            Pity "normal" folks with hardened hearts, unseeing eyes, 
	            and unhearing ears--the ones who pity those like me.

Felix means "lucky, successful."

Seely means "happy, fortunate."