God Must Really Love Me

I had planned to go back home to Virginia on Sunday, but due to my mama’s condition I felt like I needed to stay around a couple of more days. My baby brother stayed at the hospital with her on Saturday night. I slept late on Sunday noting to my brothers that I would be back to the hospital later in the day. I had some work to do and needed to wash my clothes.

It was around 11 AM when I finally stopped and decided I was hungry. I had Sneaky Pete’s hot dogs on my mind until I remembered that they were closed on Sundays. My next choice was the Cracker Barrel out by the Insterstate.  Being before noon, I thought that I might beat the after church crowd.

I was wrong. I think there may always be a crowd at the Cracker Barrel. I signed in for a “table for one” and the girl said it would be around 15 minutes.

There are much worse places to kill 15 minutes. I studied the shirts, hats, and toys. Cracker Barrel usually has an interesting array of many things. They carry a lot of “retro candy” that reminds me of my grandmama’s ten cent store growing up. She had a candy counter right as you entered her store on Main Street in Wedowee, Alabama.

Every Cracker Barrel has a good collection of country music and gospel CD’s on one of those display carousels. The carousel always has those push buttons where you can listen to a sample of the music from the various CD’s they have on display. They also usually have a CD by a current country music singer that is available exclusively at Cracker Barrel.

Craig Morgan’s CD “That’s Why” was the one currently being featured. I didn’t know that much about Craig Morgan, I remembered that he did have a couple of good songs in the past. I took the featured CD off the top of carousel and read the song titles. The fifth one on the list was “God Must Really Love Me.”

I was away from home visiting my mom in the hospital, missing church, and spending my normal church time in a Cracker Barrel off the Interstate in Alabama. So the title of that song stuck with me.

I finished piddling inside and went out front to rock in a rocking chair and watch people. I was sitting there talking to a fellow about the weather when a big white van pulled into one of the handicapped parking spots. The gentleman I was speaking with left.

As I watched the folks get out of the van, I could tell that they were a little different. I am not sure how to say this, but please know I do my best not to offend anyone. They were “special.” Maybe “developmentally disabled” is the correct term. To me, they were “special.”

I thought they had probably been to church or something. There were eight special men and women and two caretakers. They ranged in age from 20 to around 60. The only open rockers were in front and around me so I knew they were coming to sit with me. They were excited to be there. I was excited also.

I thought I enjoyed the rockers at the Cracker Barrel, but I think they enjoyed them more than I do. I seemed to be messing up their “system.” They had a very specific seating order in mind. I moved and let them have my rocker, but stayed with them sitting on a bench that resembled a church pew. It was Sunday; maybe it was my church pew.

The oldest fellow seemed to be in his mid to late 50’s. He looked very nice with a blue blazer and wire rimmed glasses, but you could tell he was a little different. He seemed to have something on his mind. He approached one of the caretakers; a young girl with a tattoo on her arm who was very gentle and sweet with all of them.

I couldn’t hear what he asked her, but I did hear her response. She said “you don’t have enough money; they cost a dollar and fifty cents on Sunday.” The other caretaker told him that he could see it when they got home. He didn’t seem to understand, he needed it. However, he went on to his next question regarding “sprinkles.” He kept asking the young girl if he could have sprinkles. She told him “We’ll see.”

I knew what he wanted. He wanted a newspaper. Any of us would have bought him one, but I was the only one getting to hear this. As I’ve noted before, I rarely carry money. I stuck my hand in my right pocket and found two quarters. I walked up to the girl and asked if two quarters would be enough. She said “No, but thank you – he needs a dollar and a half.” I stuck my hand in my left pocket and there was a dollar.

She waited while I went inside and got quarters for the newspaper box. I dropped them in her hand discreetly as I walked by. She said “Thank you.” He sat down in that rocker and put that newspaper in his lap. He didn’t read it; he just seemed to be so happy and content to have it in his lap. You know I couldn’t take it.

Fortunately they called my name about the time I was losing it. Right after they called my name, they called “Rainbow Omega, party of ten.” You would have thought they won the lottery. In unison they said proudly “that’s us.”

They filed through the front door almost running over me, but I couldn’t have been happier on this Sunday.

I was seated at a small table right beside their table of ten. The caretakers sat on each end and the eight special folks in the middle. A little girl in a pink smocked dress with a pony on it ran around the tables with a white bow in her hair. She didn’t notice anything different about this group. I have two daughters, I notice things like smocked dresses and ponies.

A cute blonde haired girl around 20 waited on me. She was definitely a brunette, but I kept my mouth shut. She would have been an even cuter brunette (than blonde) haired girl around 20. I guess you could call her a “blonde brunette.”

I ordered an “Uncle Herschel’s Favorite” consisting of eggs, grits, hashbrown casserole, biscuits, sawmill gravy, and fried catfish. I was hungry.

On the wall in front of me was a picture of a farmer on a tractor. I focused on that picture, still trying to hold it together.

As I ate, I guess I looked a bit “red-eyed.” The blonde brunette server kept checking on me. She was genuinely concerned and probably knew I had something on my mind. I will admit to lying to her and telling her that I had allergy problems. I don’t think she bought the allergy line (she wasn’t a real blonde).

She returned time and again asking if I needed anything and bringing me more sweet tea. She asked me if there was anything wrong with the catfish (I hadn't touched it yet). I told her “No, I just feel like being a pile-eater today.” I actually was just saving the best for last.

When I did start eating the catfish, she came back to ask me how it was. My mouth was full, so I just smiled. She asked “Immaculate?” I nodded. This whole experience at the Cracker Barrel was indeed “immaculate” or perfect.

The blonde brunette brought me my check and asked if I needed anything else. I asked her what she had on the menu with “sprinkles.” She said “the parfait.” The parfait is what he wanted sprinkles on. I would have bought them all one, but as you can imagine it might have messed up their routine. I also didn’t want to put the caretakers on the spot.

I looked up “Rainbow Omega” and found that the organization seeks to provide a sheltered community for adults with developmental disabilities and to provide parents an answer to the question "What will happen to my child when I can no longer provide care in my home?"

The special folks, the pew, the dollar in my left pocket, the newspaper, the blonde brunette, and the sprinkles…. I did go to church on this Sunday and I was blessed. Now you know the significance of that song by Craig Morgan – “God Must Really Love Me.”

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I'm BN Heard and I like semicolons, dogs and rocking chairs.

Comments

[Amanda]

I thank you for writing this. It means a great deal to me to be honest to you. Indeed, these are special people -- more than you probably know. It is indeed nice to hear of your kindness and to hear how you were blessed by seeing this scene at lunch yesterday. I thank you because -- you see -- the young girl with the tattoo on her arm? I know how quite well. I am she, in fact. Oh, I must add. One of those 8 people told me later after he saw your random act of kindness, "It's good to know there are still kind people in the world." You see -- they may have blessed you that day. But, you, sir, blessed us. I thank you.

[Danielle Paris]

I am a nurse who works at Rainbow Omega. Thank you so much for this article. These residents at Rainbow Omega are extremely "special" to all who work there, in more ways than you imagine. Your article touched me and was an incredible blessing. I am thankful to have the job I have and work with residents who make it more of a home away from home than a job. Bless you sir.

[Sstringe]

I am the Aunt of one of those precious residents at Rainbow Omega. They are indeed very special "kids" and they teach us more about life than we could ever begin to teach them! Thank you for being sensitive to the Spirit that day. So many folks just look the other way as if they aren't there. I pray your Mom is recovered from her hospital stay. God Bless You and Yours!!!

[Sue]

I appreciate your comments and your good heart. After having 4 children of our own, we took in two more who were in unfortunate circumstances and "special." They are extremely special to us, and one is at Rainbow Omega now. Thank you for recognizing the good they do and writing to share the message.

[Deborah Parker]

We know someone who lives at Rainbow Omega. He is as happy as he can be. It is a wonderful, caring, well run facility. God truly blessed you that Sunday. I can understand why you were emotional. If you had not been touched by those sweet pepople, there would be something wrong with you. Thank you for sharing this story and for buying the newspaper.

Blessings to you,
Deborah Parker

[shela wales]

that was so sweet, and yes the residents there are awesome. one of them is my daughter-in-law's brother. he has brought so much joy to my life since he came into my life. i just can't begin to tell you what it means to love and be loved by a ' special ' person like this. thank you for writing this.

[Becky Belyeu]

What a blessing. Thanks for posting.

[Caley]

My "little" brother is also at Rainbow Omega, in a house with seven other people who only see him as Jared, not for his autism. I'm thankful you experienced the beauty that is Rainbow Omega, but I'm more thankful for people like you who recognize how truly special they are and can share a moment with someone despite her disability.

[Martha]

Thank you, Brent. I also work at Rainbow Omega, it is a blessing - when you are in town, come out and visit! Call the office (256-831-0919) and we'll arrange a tour - lunch, too! The residents love to have visitors. To Caley, the group he witnessed was Jared's house ;) BTW, Brent, your mother was my 5th grade history teacher! I will be praying for her recovery!

[carol vice]

Love this story thank you so much

[rudy abbott]

Great story about a wonderful and caring group (Rainbow Omega). Rudy Abbott

[Auntie Janie]

Great story, thank you. I have a best friend who has a 39 year old son in a group home here in Dothan. She has been a devoted mother and this group home has been a blessing for her son. We are gratful for places like Rainbow Omega and the kind understanding workers.

[Pat Thomas]

We have a beautiful daughter, Penny, who lives in a wonderful group home She works at the Ribbon Center at The McKemy Center. Penny runs a printing machine for ribbons, invitations, napkins...and she does a wonderful job. We are very proud of our wonderful daughter.
Thank you for your story. It means a great deal to more people than you can possibly imagine. As you learned..our people are beautiful inside and outside. They might step to a different drummer..but He is a very good drummer. Par rum pa pum pum.
Pat and JC Thomas

[BN Heard]

I was so blessed on this day. The folks at Rainbow Omega have invited me to come by the next time I'm in town. I can't wait. My best to you all. BN

[Toni & Johnny]

This is a wonderful testimony! "Special" and pure! My son is...and he touches my heart every day! Thank you for your article and I thank Rainbow Omega for their service, love & devotion!

[children with disabilities]

At least there are organizations that provide support for these people in need. It's about providing care and attention.