Today I'm posting my first music video associated with my song "John's Smile", and my question to you is, What is in a smile? I mean a really good, genuine smile.
People smile all the time. I smile to say hello, because something great has just happened, because I'm happy....I also smile to cover up hurt, to fake it to make it, or to just keep someone from asking the questions of "Are you okay?"
John Sikorra is a dear friend and a man I have grown up with my entire life. When we were in 1st grade John began to steadily lose his sight. He was diagnosed with a neurological, degenerative disease called Battens. Battens is a rare and genetic and slowly works to take over brain and muscle function over time. John lost his sight first, then his muscles began to decline and his brain began to slow. Most children diagnosed do not live past late teens to early 20s. John is now at the end of his journey at age 24 and I firmly believe it is because he never stopped living. Lori and Joe, John and Ben (John's younger brother also with Battens)'s parents never let them see themselves as incapable of living. They knew they had restrictions, but pushed every line to ensure John and Ben lived life to the fullest.
You want to see a genuine smile? Look at a kid who cannot see and is weakening year to year, but goes out and water skis, snow skis, boogie boards and swims in the ocean, camps, joins his high school baseball team, indoor skydives, goes to high school, runs cross country, is crowned homecoming king, and wakes up every morning up for a new adventure. John lived the most beautiful, genuine life because he lived without fear. He lived without abandon. He trusted God, trusted all who guided him, and never stopped smiling.
Never once did I hear him complain about his situation. John simply embraced the cross he had to carry on this earth and smiled every darn day with it. So humble, so loving, so kind....always.
What's in a smile? I tell you as a wise friend told me: "joy is the proof of the presence of God". John's smile was always pure joy. I think he could see things we never could, and I think he knew God's love far greater than we will ever know until we are in heaven one day. John was an angel sent among our small community to remind us about the importance of life. Every day is a gift and a day worth living and therefore it should be lived with a smile.
When I look at John, I see God smile.
Here is the link to the song: https://youtu.be/yQdbmIb0sa8
Please pray for John and his family (Lori, Joe, and Ben) as John is in the ICU ready to go home to God.
