“Yes M.J. We will go fishing today.” Said Ma-ma.

“ Ma-ma, I like to go fishing with you, but we never catch any fish”

Ma-ma replied, “Son, some things take longer than we want them to. Some things don’t happen when we want them to And what that means is this. Some times we have to try a little harder and work and wait a little longer.”

When M.J. was five-years-old, he would go out on a rickety little boat with his mother. M.J.’s mother was determined that she was going to teach him to fish

Seeing the condition of the rickety little boat, the concerned members of the community asked the mother “Why do you take your son on that boat with you?” Her response was “So that he can learn to fish.

Questions followed. The one that seemed most important was “Can you swim?” The mother’s response was “No…I cannot swim”. “Can your little boy swim?”

“No” said the mother wishing that everyone would just leave her to do as she pleased.

The group continued to observe and continued to remark as the mother continued to take her child out on the boat. Whether or not the mother should be allowed to take the child fishing under these conditions and what could be done about it were the hot topic of discussion. The group members made it clear that they were very concerned and troubled by what appeared to be less than sound judgment on the part of this
mother.

The mother, obviously being her own person, went on to do as she had planned. She paid no attention to the presence of the on lookers and did not bother to listen to what they had to say. Yes, she was the mother of the child. She was the one with a vision. However, the community members believed that they had the right to voice their opinions about decisions that could affect the life of this child. For this little boy was affectionately embraced as the child of the community.

Among themselves, the people decided that if
mother could not swim and if she could not provide all that was necessary for safety, going out on the boat was her decision and at her risk. The issue was did she have the right to put her child in harms way? If something happened to him, and anything could have, would not the community members be responsible also? They believed that the little boy belong to them too. Being the good people that they thought they were, their hearts would have been broken and their minds ridden with guilt if the little boy had been harmed or drowned.

Seeing the mother’s determination to have it her way, the chosen speaker of the group asked yet a few more questions. “If something happens, how will you handle it? What will you do? What do you have on the boat for your safety and the safety of your son?” The mother ignored the first two questions and went on to tell everyone what she had on the boat. She said “I HAVE FAITH… I HAVE FAITH.”

And faith she did have!!!

For you see, the little boy had been stricken with infantile glaucoma (an eye disease). He was totally blind. His mother was determined to teach him to fish. She was not going to allow the members of the community, their opinions or anything for that matter, to interfere with her plans.

The determined mother taught the little boy to fish. The boat never capsized (turned over) and neither mother nor son ever had to be rescued. In fact, the only things taken out of the water were the fish, caught by the mother; who could not swim and the son; who could not see and the rickety little boat, to make ready for the next adventure.

Who gained the most we cannot measure. Perhaps it was the mother who believed that it was important that she teach her son to fish. Perhaps it was the son who learned to fish. Perhaps it was the members of the community who may have reached a greater level of respect for the determination and wisdom of the mother. Now the people of the community now had a good report.

The little boy entertained no negatives thoughts. While he could not see with his eyes, there was nothing wrong with the vision of his heart. He believed that all was well, had been well and would continue to be well. Like any child, he loved his mother and believed in her. The fears of the community members were not the fears of the mother or the child. The child had not been taught to question possible danger related to the fishing trips. He only cherished the moments. The mother focused on what the child could learn to do. What he could not do was not nearly as important.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF FAITH AT IT’S BEST

The mother believed in her son and his abilities and the son believed in his mother and her judgment. And, they both believed in themselves and each other.

“Ma-ma, are we going fishing today?” Said M.J.

“Yes M.J. We will go fishing today.” Said Ma-ma.

“ Ma-ma, I like to go fishing with you and I like catching fish.

The little blind boy grew up. He went off to school, worked hard and earned a great education. He has four college degrees and has spent most of his life helping other people. He is a Vocation Rehabilitation Counselor for the District of Columbia or Washington D.C. He says that his not having physical sight seems to bother those around him more than it bothers him. He is a positive man who does not think of himself as being handicapped.

He has taught gifted children with sight and trained guide dogs for the visually impaired (another word for blind). He chooses not to have a guide dog.

Job related responsibilities require that he often travel alone around the country. About crossing the street he said, “I stand at the curb. As long as I just stand there, no one seems to pay me any attention or notice that I need help. Once I take a step off the curb, someone is always there to assist me across the street”
My friend is also my mentor and one of the smartest people I know. He has helped me through many situations including earning my college degree. Most of all, he has taught me many lessons about life. He has helped me to learn to step off the curb.