The Kirby Vacuum Salesman Who Became a Star

You know, just about the time you need to feel good about something, just about the time you need to believe that people are more — so, so much more — than the formless ranting that comes through to us over the ether every day, as we dip further and further into the reality/unreality that is the internet, you click on Twitter and a story like this comes along, and it gives all the headlines, all the divisive narratives, and all the prophets of doom a good, sharp kick in the derriere:

Ever since he was a 2-year-old boy, Dylan Johnson has had a passion for vacuum cleaners. Dylan, who has autism, was never into “normal” toys, his mother Jodie said.

The Swift Creek Middle School student turned 14 years old over the weekend and celebrated his birthday with a party that included close friends, family and a vacuum salesman.

I am not going to give you any more than that, because I want you to go over and read the rest of the story, and feel your heart lighten a little.

I want you to remember that anytime anything great happens in our lives, it’s usually because human beings have reached out to other human beings, and have had their outreach answered, and their hands grasped, and squeezed tight. There is a rescue — in small, simple ways that are nevertheless transcendent, and life-affirming, and maybe even faith-saving. In these moments, we see small, brilliant bits of darkness-scattering light that — for however briefly — will allow us to see the divine in someone else, or to model the divine for someone else.

Or maybe, for those brief, shining minutes, we become like the very stars whose matter we share.

Amen?

Speaking of being light for each other, I can’t tell you how heartening it has been to see the responses — the emails promising prayers, the outpouring of support — that I have gotten to the story of Ashley Bridges, which I posted here a few days ago.

Ashley, recall, is the young mother of two who was diagnosed with bone cancer when she was 10 weeks pregnant, and put off treatment until her daughter, Paisley, was born. She’s hoping to live to see Paisley’s first birthday; her mother says “maybe there will be a miracle. I say, “why not,” and offer a few suggestions for intercessory prayer, because scripture tells us we may run to Christ Jesus and say “Lord, the one you love is sick…” and he will respond.

Lord, the one you love is sick…it’s Ashley, whose love has been so great, and whose desire, in the wealth of your greatness and your mercy, is so very small. Have mercy upon this dying mother, O Divine Physician, as, in a similar way in scripture, you had mercy on mothers and their dying children. In your manifold power, fulfill the promise of your own lips, Lord, “If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” We ask now, on Ashley’s behalf — in all simplicity and with a most child-like faith — and for the sake of light, and of love, for real healing of body, mind and spirit, for Ashley Bridges and her family. Have mercy on me, a sinner, as I beg your blessings upon this family. In your Holy Name, I pray.

Anyway, even people who don’t especially like me have told me they have spread the word about Ashley, and isn’t that great? Just because we don’t all particularly agree with each other, or care much for another’s personality or point of view, we can still come together — as a community of prayer, really — and make intercesson for another, pleading on behalf of life and love.

Thankfully, Sarah Reinhard, (who actually does like me although it’s no credit to me, because I think she’s one of those blessed people who somehow likes everyone!) saw the story, and has brought it to the National Catholic Register. So…more prayers; more people getting the opportunity to be light for another.

We don’t all have to like each other all the time, but we can do these small things — meeting each other in the Eucharist and in joined prayers, which are a privilege — and then, even if we still roll our eyes at each other in the ether, we have come together, to commended another soul to Love. In doing so, in moving as one toward love, we are loving one other.

And then, what a wonderful world, after all.

Amen?

All of this, Kirby story and Ashley’s — as pro-life as it gets!