October 27, 2013
Today was a special day for my niece, Karley. She went through confirmation with the classmates she’s been participating with since Sunday School. Her classmates, family, other church members and the pastoral staff have done their best to keep her involved and included to the greatest extent possible along the way.
Pastor Roland presented the class to be confirmed and quoted this piece from Matthew 3:17 in his sermon “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Karley was a constant diarist, drawer, dreamer and list maker before her injury. She had more than a dozen diaries filled and partially filled and lot’s of pictures she had drawn and painted. After the confirmation a small group went to Tracy’s house to have cider and treats. Tracy just happened to have this list, that Karley created a month before her accident, attached to the fridge. I have seen it before, but it struck me as Karley’s own special pledge, given to steer her choices and guide her life. With less imagination than she had and some simple interpretation it is no less relevant today.
Karley is now non-verbal, but has become increasingly more communicative in the last two years. There can be an almost invisible energy connection between people that are especially close, allowing for communication to take place even when the most common modes may be all but closed. Karley’s immediate family has harnessed this connection and used it to help her become expressive again.
I reinterpreted this list for Karley’s Confirmation using her raw material and inspiration:
