They
introduced the young musician. Welcome...Mr. Patrick Henry Hughes. He
was rolled onto the stage in his wheelchair, and began to play the
piano. His fingers danced across the keys as he made beautiful music.
He then began to sing as he played, and
it was even more beautiful. For some reason, however, I knew that I was
seeing something special. There was this aura about him that I really
can't explain and the smile...his smile was magic!
About ten minutes into Patrick's
performance, someone came on the stage and said..."I'd like to share a
seven-minute video titled, The Patrick Henry Hughes story." And the lights went dim.
Patrick Henry Hughes was born with no
eyes, and a tightening of the joints which left him crippled for life.
However, as a child, he was fitted with artificial eyes and placed in a
wheelchair. Before his first birthday, he discovered the piano. His mom
said, "I could hit any note on the piano, and within one or two tries,
he'd get it." By his second birthday, he was playing requests (You Are
My Sunshine, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star). His father was ecstatic. "We
might not play baseball, but we can play music together."
Today, Patrick is a junior at the
University of Louisville. His father attends classes with him and he's
made nearly all A's, with the exception of 3 B's. He's also a part of
the 214-member marching band. You read it right...the marching band!
He's a blind, wheelchair-bound trumpet player; and he and his father do
it together. They attend all the band practices and the half-time
performance in front of thousands. His father rolls and rotates his son
around the field to the cheers of Patrick's fans. In order to attend
Patrick's classes and every band practice, his father works the
graveyard shift at UPS. Patrick said..."My dad's my hero."
But even more than his unbelievable
musical talent, it was Patrick's "attitude of gratitude" that touched my
soul. On stage, between songs, he would talk to the audience about his
life and about how blessed he was. He said, "God made me blind and
unable to walk. BIG DEAL! He gave me the ability...the musical gifts I
have...the great opportunity to meet new people."
When his performance was over, Patrick
and his father were on the stage together. The crowd rose to their feet
and cheered for over five minutes. It gave me giant goose bumps!
My life was ready to meet Patrick Henry
Hughes. I needed a hero, and I found one for the ages. If I live to be a
hundred, I'll never forget that night, that smile, that music, but most
importantly, that wonderful "attitude of gratitude."
I returned to Chicago and shared
Patrick's story with my wife, my friends, and our team at Simple Truths.
About two weeks later, I received a letter from a friend. He said,
"Mac, here is a quote from Vivian Greene that I think you'll love!"
|
"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...
it's about learning to dance in the rain!" |
I thought...that's it!
We all face adversity in our life. However, it's not the adversity, but
how we react to it that will determine the joy and happiness in our
lives. During tough times, do we spend too much time feeling sorry for
ourselves, or, can we, with gratitude...learn how to dance in the rain?
It almost sounds too simple to feel important, but one word...gratitude, can change your attitude, and thus your life, forever. Sarah Breathnach said it best... |
| "When
we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are
grateful for the abundance that's present...we experience heaven on
earth." |
|
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