Angels

Grayson Wegener, son of Nate and Becky, came into this world prematurely, in 2000. That, coupled with oxygen deprivation at birth, resulted in his cerebral palsy. He is essentially quadraplegic, in that he does not have full use of his arms or legs and cannot move independently. He talks and is very bright, but he is fully dependent upon his parents and his big brother Jordan; they are angels in his life.

Grayson was one of our three grandchildren who were baptized on August 1, 2008. It is safe to say that no-one was ever more excited about being baptized than Gray. He was thrilled. He talked about that coming event for a long time. He was ready when the big day came. He was so excited when the moment arrived, that he was giggling when he went under the water... giggling when he came up out of the water... probably giggling under the water. He obviously felt safe in his daddy's strong arms.

Grayson's baby brother Jacob also had a hard time getting into this world safely. Becky again tried to deliver early. She was life-flighted from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City and spent three months on full bed rest at the University Medical Center...followed by another month to ensure that Jacob, who was born a month early, was safe. He is now a really healthy boy. Some of his uncles even call him "Tank".

During those four months Becky's parents Ray and Rita Minkler were Grayson's earth angels. They shared those duties with us part of the time. It was a privilege to have Grayson in our home for one week intervals. He is a delightful child and Kathie and I enjoyed getting to know him better. One thing that we found interesting about Grayson was that he was always happy to go to bed. It was always humbling to kneel by his bed as he said his prayers. He always started out with "Father in Heaven... I thank you for my many blessings...". That never failed to elicit a tear. He never went to sleep immediately; he would just lie there and...talk. One night we stood by his bedroom door and listen as he talked...and talked. We had to admit to each other that Grayson was not just talking...he was talking TO someone...he was having a conversation with someone. He was answering someone's questions...there were pauses...he would laugh out loud...then talk excitedly. One night we asked Gray if he had a friend. He just smiled and said "Yes". We hesitated to ask him who the friend was; it seemed somehow sacred. Maybe he had a ministering angel.

When we told Nate about this experience...he said "We asked Gray who he was talking to one day." His response was "You know dad". Nate said "No we don't Gray...why don't you tell us." Grayson said "It's the lady with the red hair." That left Nate and Becky speechless. It stunned us also.

The only lady with red hair in our family was Kathie's mother Floris, who passed away in 2000, just before Grayson was born. That made a lot of sense to us. Floris was a woman with a wonderful sense of humor...she was a real stand-up comic... so that would explain why he would be laughing so much during some of his "conversations".

We have quite a few friends who have children with special needs. It is humbling to acknowledge the real earth angels in the lives of those children. It is especially comforting to know that our Savior, who especially loves little children, also provides additional help for the earth angels, in the form of real angels from the other side of the veil. It is beautiful to think that Floris spends time with our Grayson...helping to make his life just a little brighter. We understand that Grayson is also talking with Grandpa Ellis, who is Becky's grandfather. So, it is possible that they knew each other before Gray was born and that they are permitted to be his angels in his life.

What Kathie and I find somewhat unnerving is to realize that Grayson, and others like him, are living a different reality to that which we accept as reality. While we believe in the reality of the resurrection and life after death, our reality does not permit us to see beyond some veil that is drawn tightly across our vision. We are taught that there is a grand purpose to the veil; it forces us to live by faith during our earthly experience. Grayson on the other hand, who is unable to enjoy our reality to the fullest, is permitted to see beyond the veil, and to communicate with those who love him on the other side. It is really a beautiful thing.