A vist from John

Anika would have loved John anyway, just because he was a visitor with a kind voice who talked nicely to children. But it was his guide dog, Joelle, that I think really sealed the deal. After John had read a section from a children’s book using Braille, it was Anika who raised her hand to come over to try and describe the illustrations that accompanied the text. When he later opened things up for them to ask questions, I was kind of surprised to see only a few hands go into the air; perhaps it was my earlier request for them to be on their best behavior that had dampened too many of them from braving a hand. As I later told John, even their worst behavior is usually pretty good, so I probably should have just left it to them. At any rate, it was Anika who found John afterwards, to tell him, “I drew you a picture.” “You did?” said John, with sincere pleasure in his voice. “Can you describe it to me?” “It’s you and me, and the sun.” Warm and kind, a wonderful first meeting. Thank you, John, for sharing your uniqueness, and your heart, with us today.