Each One Different - Each One Special

It's interesting to me how very different siblings can be. Even though we share the same DNA and we grew up in the same household...we are as different as we can be. I didn't notice it when we were younger...but I certainly do now. Actually, as I child, the only difference I noticed about me and my brother and sister, was that they were both skinny red heads...and I was a "plump" or "chunky" brunette. My sister Amy and I used to pretend that I was a cousin from Kentucky (where I had my own horse...as all people in Kentucky do...) who came to live with my "Uncle Fred and Aunt Lois." We also had a long running family joke about why I wasn't a skinny red head...and that was, that I was actually a Korean war orphan. I know...it was an odd joke...but it was our family's joke. That joke was so ingrained in my head, that about 15 years ago, I was training this new waitress at the Oyster Bar...and she was Korean. We were chatting as we were working and she mentioned that her family had a small farm. I pictured an older Korean couple working their land...and I asked her if they grew vegetables and then used them to make their own Kim Chee. She looked at me like I was nuts and said, "No...my parents are white...I'm a Korean war orphan." Without giving it a second thought, I blurted out, "Hey! So am I!" Then she really looked at me like I was nuts...and that was the beginning of our friendship.
Now...back to the differences between me and my siblings...
Mom was the one who pointed out to me how different each of us kids were. She said that it never was more obvious than the day President Kennedy was shot. I was in the third grade, Amy was in first and David was in fifth. The secretary went to each of the classrooms and with tears streaming down her face, she whispered something to the teachers. Our teachers told us that our president had been shot. We were told to quickly gather our things and we were all instructed to go straight home.
It was a little over a half mile walk to our house. Some of our neighborhood kids were running ahead, jumping and celebrating getting out of school early. I thought they were horrible. David, Amy and I were not a part of that. We simply made our way past the Dominican Convent, down Locust Ave...heading straight home. I don't remember that we spoke much...we were all just trying to process what had happened. I cried the whole way.
When we got home, David grabbed several of the World Book Encyclopedias. He went in his room with them, closed the door and began his research. He looked up everything he could about presidents. Who was next in line for the job? What if he were to die? How many presidents died in office? How many were assassinated? What would happen next? Amy didn't care about any of that. She was furious. She was so mad at the guy who shot our president, she was going to get a gun and shoot him herself! And I was still sobbing. All I could think about was that Caroline and John John's father was dead...and who would take care of them now? How could they grow up without their dad?
Same DNA, same environment...and yet we were as different as we could be. Each one different and each one special. The same holds true today. David still is more comfortable researching things...gathering all the information he can...especially before making any decisions. Amy sees a problem and wants to take action. Handle the situation...right now. And I operate straight from my heart.
Being aware of these differences and knowing that it is just how each of us are (for whatever reason) adds dimension to our family.
I think that when people become aware of, accept and respect the differences in those around them, they have the opportunity to accomplish great things. And to enjoy each other 's company along the way. I see this in my family...I see this in my church.
We have each been given gifts from God that make us special individuals. And when we get together and pool our resources/gifts...the possibilities are endless. That...to me...is incredible.