Depth of Field

Sometimes we don’t even pay attention.

We spend so much effort looking for beauty in the classic sense that we filter out the budding beauty in the background.

And sometimes we focus so much on what’s waiting down the road that we miss the beauty right beside us.

Right now people see Julianna. She’s cute. She’s innocent. And she’s cuddly (when she wants to be). But ten or twenty years from now, will they still see her? When she’s no longer shielded by the innocence and cuteness of early childhood, will they focus on her?

Or will their vision of her blur, their eyes slide past her? Or worse—will they see her, but not her intrinsic beauty? Will they react with bigotry and cruelty?

Last night, ABC broadcast a show called “What Would You Do?” One of the scenarios was the treatment of a grocery store bagger with Down syndrome.

An actor was paid to be horrible to this young man, also an actor, just to see if people would stand up to him.

A few did, with results that made us laugh and cheer (you can find the video here, but you’ll have to look for “grocery clerk abuse”). But most didn’t. And among those who did, almost every one had some other reason to feel passionate about the treatment of those with disabilities. One had a sister with DS. Another was a special ed teacher.

It was kind of a shot in the gut to me, because it was like looking in a time-warped mirror. Three and a half years ago, before Julianna, I probably wouldn’t have chosen confrontation, either. The issue just didn’t touch me in a deep place.

These days, that’s no longer the case for me. But I am painfully aware that it is the case for many, perhaps most, of you.

This, then, is my Motherhood Moment today: a plea to each of you who read this: let your “depth of field” include everyone you meet. Be ready when, someday, you come across the occasion of cruelty and bigotry to anyone, but especially to people like my child. When you’re picking your battles, choose this one, in whatever small way you can. Don’t slide your eyes past, and “mind your own business” in convicted discomfort. Speak up for God’s children.