Alissa Lockwood

Professor Rohler

COM 345

22 February 2010

Tribute Speech

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 peter1: 3)  My faith in God makes up a huge part of who I am. I will not go through the story of how I came to know Him, but I will say that I found Christ when I was at my weakest. The funny thing that I realize when looking back, is that I never went looking for Him, He came to me and comforted me during those times. Since I have known God He has not given me a crazy miracle to witness nor have I survived some serious injury that He has healed me from, but He has blessed me with a life in which His love and existence is displayed daily. Besides the Lord, the person on earth that has influenced me the most is only a 5-year-old boy. This boy suffers from a very severe and terminal case of cerebral palsy. Although he cannot speak, talk, walk, communicate, my nephew is the most honest, true, courageous, friendliness and loyal person in my life.  For my sister, her husband and their son Chad, I know God has given then everything they need for life, I know that God makes no mistakes, I know that he has a plan to prosper all of them, a plan that will never harm them. (Jeremiah 29:11) Although my nephew is disabled, he is made perfectly; he is the way God intended him to be. (Psalms 139: 13-16)

My nephew Chad exemplifies many things but most of all I believe he shows me courage. He was born at 1 pound 7 ounces and ever since then he has had to fight for his life and he is blessed with my sister and her husband who support him in his fight. He tries to bring out the best in his parents, but sometimes he brings out the worst. (Anithesis) So, don’t get me wrong, Chad does have his good and bad moments. I remember the day he went into a doctor’s appointment where they did their usual x rays and scans. They found that both his hips were dislocated and needed surgery. He had been in pain for months and although he cannot say anything, he never complained. Surgeons placed metal into his hips to keep them from dislocating ever again and was placed into full length leg casts. The doctors gave him a good 2 months in the cast and after only 22 days the casts came off. I remember when he woke up from his surgery, he did not even cry. I think about how I would handle having a limited amount of time on this earth, I know I would definitely not show courage. To be in the presence of someone who holds no fear is in itself life changing.

My favorite thing about my nephew is his ability to recognize voices.  Although many can say that he might not have the cognitive ability to place things together I believe that he has a way of communicating to us. Just like any child he feels comfortable with the people he knows most. It is so joyful to see his face light up when he hears his dad’s voice. It completely calms him. He also recognizes his mom’s touch. She is the only one that can make him laugh.  I’ve never told any one this out loud, but my favorite thing to do with him is tell him my deepest fears, my biggest hope for my future, things I have on my mind, I even sing to him, all because I know he is listening. I have a regular conversation with him, I ask him how is day was, what he needs, what I can be praying for. It is unfair to treat him any less. You cannot tangibly see how much he does for you, but Chad does give you a sense of peacefulness and strength, which I believe comes from his sustained innocence.

I am most thankful for him because he has become the glue for my family. Before he came about my family was very disheveled. My sister had her ups and downs and my parents handled it to the best of their knowledge. Through that situation I realized that people make mistakes and we must forgive them, especially family and also, parents are only human and are not always right. My family felt so disconnected and misplaced. Not only were we actually separated in space but also mentally. We didn’t treat each other as we should have nor did we acknowledge each other in a loving way.  My nephew could have not come at a better time. The least expected thing became a blessing. I am not sure what would have happened if he did not come along. I am amazed again at what Gods purpose is for this child. God was and is still faithful. My little nephew healed wounds and created joy once more in our brokenness. It was at this time I realized the great need I had for Christ, and the great Christ I had for my need (chiasmus).

What makes me stand in awe of the Lord is His powerful hand over all things.  My faith has grown tremendously just by being around my nephew, by the way in which God orchestrates all things for His will and glory. God knew we needed some type of fix for our family, God knew I needed to see tangible faith; and He knew we all needed to be humbled and be thankful (parallelism). My nephew is a gift in which I cannot send a thank you letter to God for, I cannot send back a gift or some sort, roses or chocolates, but I can respond to God. I can respond in acknowledging his greatness through all things and I can respond to God by praising Him (anaphora). I cannot type every way in which my nephew has influenced me, but he has changed much of who I am. He brings joy to people, he gives strength to people, and he willingly hands out love to people. (Epistrophe) God has made me and therefore gets to define me to my core, and my nephew has increased my faith in the unseen, and I am eternally thankful.  

Heavens very special child

A meeting was held quite far from Earth!

It's time again for another birth.

Said the Angels to the LORD above,

This Special Child will need much love. 

His progress may be very slow,

Accomplishments he may not show.

And he'll require extra care

From the folks he meets down there. 

He may not run or laugh or play,

His thoughts may seem quite far away,

In many ways he won't adapt,

And he'll be known as handicapped. 

So let's be careful where he's sent,

We want his life to be content.

Please LORD, find the parents who

Will do a special job for you. 

They will not realize right away

The leading role they're asked to play,

But with this child sent from above

Comes stronger faith and richer love. 

And soon they'll know the privilege given

In caring for their gift from Heaven.

Their precious charge, so meek and mild,

Is HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD.  

by Edna Massionilla