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November 01, 2005
Lexie
I saw her the minute I walked into the elementary school cafeteria last Friday. She was in a motorized wheelchair waiting for me to begin my talk to her second grade class and four hundred other kids.
He face was so full of light and life that I was pulled to walk over and say hello.
I went up to her and crouched down alongside the wheel chair.
“I wanted to introduce my self,” I said. “My name is Trevor Romain. I’m the speaker today.”
“I’m Lexie,” she said, extending her hand.
I took her hand and noticed that it was little malformed.
"Sometimes people don’t like to hold my hand,” she said. "See, my hands are different."
She lifted her hands and showed them to me.
"You’ve got beautiful hands," I said, clasping them both in mine. "And they’re so nice and warm, just like your heart."
She flashed me a beautiful, soul-warming smile.
“Thanks,” she said, enthusiastically. “Wanna see how I spell my name in sign language?”
“Sure,” I said.
My heart reached for her as she struggled to sign her name with hands that did not work as well as she wanted them to. She focused intensely as she battled with each letter, but she did not give up. As she completed her name she looked up and smiled with so much joy it brought a lump to my throat.
“That is fantastic,” I said. “I wish I could sign like you.”
“I could teach you,” she said, earnestly.
Just then the school counselor nodded for me to come forward to begin my talk.
“Wish me luck,” I said. “I hope I do a good job today. I’d hate to be boring in front of four hundred kids.”
Suddenly Lexie reached over, put her arm around my neck and pulled me toward her.
With her face two inches from mine, she looked me in the eye and said. “Don’t be nervous, just be yourself.”
Then she patted me on the head affectionately.
This week is the anniversary of my father’s death and my heart has been so heavy. I was thinking about my dad and feeling sad when I walked into to the school on Friday, but it all changed thanks to the kindness of one incredible little girl in a wheelchair as she embraced me and comforted me, just like my dad used to do.
Posted by trevor at November 1, 2005 09:58 AM
Comments
Thanks Trevor. Great post today.
Posted by: lsmith at November 1, 2005 10:59 AM
She enCOURAGEd you.
Did you give her a gold star in return?
I am all about enCOURAGEment.
Ah, but what do I know.
Madame B
Posted by: madame babushka at November 1, 2005 11:13 PM
"Thank You" so much for posting My Granddaughter's moving story on your Web Site. When lexi was born...it was one of the happiest days of my life turned instantly into one of the most heart breaking days of my life! The first day I held inside my Heartbreak to be strong for her Mother. However, the second day my strength dissolved and I locked myself in a room and cried and paced all day. Lexi was born very twisted and could not feed. Her Doctor called us into a room and let us know that she may not live. I told the doctor,defiantly, "Yes, she will Live because we will give her so much Love". As you can see it did work! Lexi was on a feeding tube for two years and did not smile with her mouth, but smiled with her eyes! She did not crawl, but rolled...which gave her the nick name "Rollie Pollie", at that time. When she finally started talking and would see children looking at her in stores, she would go up and say, "Hi, I'm Lexi and this is my HotRod". Which is what we call her wheelchair. The reason I am writing this little glimpse about Lexi is that if I had known the joy and spirit she bought to our family the day of her birth, then I would have never locked myself in that room and cried all day. I would have rejoiced at being the most luckiest Grandmother in the world! I didn't see it at the time, but God gave us Lexi to brighten our world and other people she touches, such as your story. She is a Wonder and never ceases to amaze us! Now, when I cry or grasp with that lump in my throat for her it is because of being overwhelmed at watching, seeing, and hearing her touch other people's life. I truly feel God gave you Lexi that day to take some of your pain away in the memory of your Father. With the loss of some of her physical movements, she gained the extra sense of touching people's hearts and letting them know everything will be alright. Her Papa is in Iraq, and when I used to take her to see the wounded soldiers in the hospital, she would also brighten their day. She would shake their hands and say,"Thank you for what you do for our country". It would put a smile on these young soldiers faces. Once again, I "Thank You" for posting the story of My Wonderful Granddaughter! Vickie Johndrow
Posted by: Vickie Johndrow at November 7, 2005 08:16 PM
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS STORY ABOUT MY GREAT-NIECE LEXI. I THINK THAT MY FAMILY IS TRULY BLESSED TO HAVE LEXI IN OUR FAMILY. SHE IS A INSPIRATION TO ALL OF US. WE SHOULD ALWAYS REMEMBER TO ALWAYS JUST BE OURSELVES. EMILY RUNDELL LINCOLN, MONTANA
Posted by: EMILY RUNDELL at November 8, 2005 03:44 PM
There is so much that I would like to say. I have so many thoughts & emotions that continuosly run through my mind it's as if the world never stops. However,I have trouble when it comes time to express those thoughts & emotions. All that I know is that I wanted to comment and thank you for you kindness.
Lexi is definitely one of a kind!!!! In one moment she can make you soooo angry and feeling completly overwhelmed and yet within a few minutes have you laughing, wanting to love on you and have you never wanting to let her go. The biggest Emotional Roller Coaster you will ever ride! My Lexi
Posted by: Melanie Norman at December 7, 2005 08:23 PM
I know it's taken me a while to write. Thank you so much Trevor for posting your absolutely wonderful experience with Lexie on your website. I'm one of Lexie's parents Best friends from high school and I love them all very much. I don't get to see them very often because of the distance between us and all our very busy schedules but they know where my heart is. When Lexie came into my life I remember feeling how nervous I was. I was going to see them for the first time after Lexie was born. I wanted to be strong for her parents but I was indeed scared all at the same time. When I visited, Lexie was eating by a feeding tube and I was so sad and it made me angry that she had to go through this and have all of the surgeries. I'm not very good at expressing my feelings very well, they all usually come out wrong...but I fell in love with Lexie that day and those nerves went away as fast as they came. There was just something so different about Lexie. It was like I could see she was going to be a VERY SPECIAL little girl. And she is a VERY SPECIAL indeed. As the years went on and even after not being able to see her very much she warmed my heart every time I saw her. She is so excited about life, she loves you for who you are and she gives so much love. Every time I see her she truly touches my heart and she brighten's my day. She has more love than anyone I have ever known. I believe she is our (all of our) gift from God and she shows us everyday how God wants us all to live and love eachother no matter our faults. She is a perfect example and an inspiration to me in so many ways. Anyway, I love her so much and wish they were closer but until that happens I will always cherish every moment I have with her!! Thanks again Trevor for such a wonderful story.
Posted by: Becky Butler at March 21, 2006 10:02 PM
I have Bell's Palsy and enjoy your blog very much. First time I've commented, but have been reading here and there.
Great blog. I enjoy reading it every chance I get and value your opinions!
Posted by: Disabled Chat at July 24, 2008 11:03 AM