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Kindness: A Gift from Above 
By Gary Greeno
Over the years I have watched as the physical manifestations of Parkinson's have become more obvious in my body. You can't look at me move or hear me talk without noticing that, "There is something wrong with that guy. He's not normal."
I hate it. I hate the extra hint of kindness in the cashier's voice at the grocery store. I hate the congeniality in people's voices when I call on the phone to do business. Why? Why, when people are caught off guard and confronted by someone with "special needs" and they respond with appropriate kindness, why don't I like it? Why does it bother me?
I'm not talking about the occasional off-the-wall, or rude individual. You just have to forgive and forget them. I am talking about the common man. The teller at the bank. The librarian. Most people are simply nice. The amount of mercy that is required in dealing with me isn't that much and most people just extend it and go on their way. So, why does it upset me? Why?
I believe I know the answer...
I believe I don't like it because it reminds me that I have Parkinson's. Being extended grace by the man on the street puts it in my face, again, that I need grace. That I need mercy. That I need the kindness.
they have to give. And, I don't like it. I don't want to be different. I don't want to have Parkinson's.
BUT I DO...
The librarian, the teller, the grocery clerk. They are not doing anything wrong. In fact they are showing kindness...mercy...grace to one who needs it. Me.
It is my problem. Ouch!!! On one hand, I don't like it being my problem. But on the other hand it just goes with the territory. Coping with a disability is the pits. It is no fun There are so many, many layers to go through while learning to accept and deal with the stuff that happens in life. This is just another layer. Like an onion, it peels one layer at a time, and often leaves me with tears.
Father:
Thank you for the kindnesses that people show me daily. Help me to receive them as they are, a gift from you.
Our Prayer for this time:
Father:
Thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, and the occasion of His appearance on Earth that is acknowledged around the world with accompanying song and giving. No other person has ever had a birth so celebrated and underscored with exclamations of "JOY to the WORLD!" In this season, help us to receive from others, with gratefulness, their attempts at good will - even "Happy Holidays" - knowing you'll always remain the reason for the season. Nothing and no one can dim the glory of the greatest gift of kindness of them all: the Gift from above. Amen
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