When Love is Stronger than Disability

I’d like to share a photograph of my invalid mother with dementia and my sweet 4-year-old granddaughter with Down syndrome. Today KTVB-TV, the largest station in Idaho, chose it as “Photo of the Day.” My caption: “There is no disability when communication is shared with love.”

The hands are compelling – one is young and healthy and the other is gnarled from a lifetime of work and prayer. The gentle scene suggests that labels and disabilities are less important when sincere affection is present. As the world is raging out of control and my vision is assaulted with images of hatred, destruction, and clenched fists, I prefer to focus on a brief but powerful act of love. Hugs can heal.