Marilyn Moved Me

I was fine until she started writing on the white board.

I really was okay. Not one single tear leaked from my eye until she pulled out the purple marker and started writing the word family on the board.

Marilyn is gifted in ways you and I can’t understand. Our culture labels her disabled because she is deaf and experiences Cerebral Palsy but she is anything but disabled.

Her face, her smile and her hands are more than enough voice for this 63-year-old woman.

We interviewed her today for a video we are doing for Look Me In The Eye. As I said I was fine until I started asking Marilyn about “her story” and her purple pen went crazy.

She was writing names of brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews. She would howl, smile and laugh as she used her hands to sign family, love and joy.

Communication is so important to all of us. I know how frustrated I get when I write something and people don’t listen but judge, try to fix and offer advice.

So, when I see someone like Marilyn slowly communicate with grace, compassion and no judgment I am touched.

My wife met Marilyn a few weeks ago and warned me that she would amaze me but I underestimated her perception.

Marilyn is a teacher. She has less education than most and yet shows anyone willing to watch and listen, how to truly live.

1 Comment

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  Greg Ewert January 17, 2012 at 11:51 am

  Maybe… “people don’t listen but judge, try to fix and offer advice” are just adding a thought… Not judging, fixing, or advising… They are just just adding a thought, as in a conversation… You never know… it could happen… LOL.;-)