My little brother, Johnny, fondly remembers the Christmas of this past year...
He got a computer.
Johnny LOVES anything to do with computers; he can figure out the Internet or put together a computer program faster than a cheetah; his young mind is brilliant, and he seems to have a knack for this sort of thing.
Johnny has loved computers since he was very young; and he learned how to use a computer back in kindergarten. That was 4 years ago. He's now just completed the fourth grade.
Johnny was having a hard time medically last year. That is, he was suffering from the beginning of respiratory problems, and he appeared to be having a hard time with his breathing; and he was also having more in the way of trouble with his muscles becoming weaker. He was also dealing with his seizures; at that time they were out of control, and the doctors were having a hard time trying to find just the right combination of medications to help control his seizures. At that time he was having one to two seizures a day.
Mommy and daddy were both having a hard time, too; for their little son was often sick and in and out of the hospital, and they were exhausted and frustrated. That's when mommy decided to write to the Maury Povich Show, to tell them about little Johnny's sad situation.
One day, back in June, the call came. It was someone from the Maury Povich staff; and they had read the letter, and they wanted to have Johnny appear on an upcoming taping of a show which was to feature "Wishes for Deserving People".
So, a month later, mommy, daddy, and Johnny flew to New York City (all expenses paid; they didn't have to pay for ANYTHING). And they went on the Maury Show, mommy, daddy, and little Johnny.
This was, of course, prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11.
It was a very moving moment when they were on, I am told. Not one dry eye was to be found when Johnny was on; even Maury himself was in tears. But when Johnny got his computer (it was to be delivered in time for Christmas), you never saw such a happier little boy. He was beside himself with joy. It was beautiful. And it made ME cry when I saw the show on television!
It was really quite a magical moment!
On Christmas morning, the computer was delivered to our house. Johnny was all excited; and he couldn't wait to have it hooked up and running; he was really looking forward to using it.
The computer was from Gateway, which is one of the best brands of computers to be found on the market, and it had Internet access as well as game cartridges and all sorts of cool stuff guaranteed to bring a certain little boy hours and hours of pleasure.
Johnny has since spent many a pleasurable hour after hour on his computer; and he has never forgotten the generosity of people (including his parents) who cared so much about him by doing such a special thing to him in such a big way. He also feels good to know that there are such famous celebrities who do things for those less fortunate than themselves, and this really gives him a sense of purpose and joy in his life. Johnny has NOT had an easy life as it is, and yet there are people who are willing to make it more meaningful and joyful for people like himself.
THERE ARE ANGELS TO BE FOUND ON THIS EARTH IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK!! GOOD PEOPLE ARE HERE ON THIS EARTH!!
Good things DO happen to those who richly deserve it!...
A short story of mine was included in an anthology of short fiction by fourteen of Port Town Publishing Company's authors. It is out of print and no longer available except as a download. Contact me at charlenetess@yahoo.com if you want it.
