SURPRISE AT THE SUPERSAVER

SURPRISE AT THE SUPERSAVER
T. Wieland Allen

Our Sunday routine of a Sam's hot dog and viewing a movie at the Dollar Movie or the Supersaver Movie Theater in a neighboring big city are so ingrained in us now that we get disappointed when we can't follow the tradition. The day never fails to please us and the movies are usually good ones, giving us lots of laughs or lots of excitement when it is a thriller movie. The events that ensued on one Sunday was a complete surprise to both of us.

We chose a movie at the Supersaver Movie Theater that was a love story, one with actors that we like. It was playing at 12:00 noon, which pleased us since we would be finished with our trip to Sam's Club where we had our hot dogs and cokes and did some shopping. Everything was falling in place perfectly, just like we anticipated because the events had been our habit for several years. We were in for a surprise.

When we entered the movie theater, we saw that we were the only people there, which is not unusual. Very often that happens and then a few other people wander in during the coming attractions for other movies. The lights were on, so we located seats about three quarters of the way down the aisle and settled in, removing hats and coats since, luckily, the heat was on in the room.

A handsome young man about 30 years old entered the row behind us, sat down in a seat close enough that he was within earshot of us. Then he said something interesting to us. He said, "Do you want to hear a good story?"

I was cognizant of the fact that he was full of joy and wanted to share his story with anyone who would listen. I said, "Sure."

The young man told us that he had been in a horrible car accident two and a half years ago, that he had brain damage and other injuries that were so devastating that the doctors told his mother that he probably wouldn't live. When he didn't die, they advised her to put him in a nursing home. They said that physical therapy would be a waste of time because of the extent of his injuries and that he would need physical care all of his life. His mom refused.

He continued the joyful rendition of the events of the past two and a half years by saying that his grandma, who had just died two weeks earlier, also wouldn't accept the prognosis of the doctors. She took on the job of his physical rehabilitation by having him mow the lawn, work around the house, and accomplish feats that the medical community said were impossible for him to do. One of his arms became immobile because of a stroke, but his grandma supervised his rehab until his arm became completely useful again.

The young man continued his story by telling us that he bought a house that had formerly been a crack house, tore out all the walls and floors because of the chemical smell, and replaced everything from ceiling to floor.

Then he proudly said, "This year is the second anniversary of me being completely healed and this month my new house is totally paid off. I just wanted you to hear some good news today."

We rejoiced with the proud young man. He needed to have people rejoice with him. He had accomplished much more than other men his age, no matter their stations in life. He had physically recovered from a brain injury and devastating injuries to his body; plus only two and a half years after his wreck he had completely rebuilt a house and paid it off. He was so proud of himself. I could only imagine his mother's pride at his accomplishments. He gave thanks to his mom and grandmother who refused to accept death for him and refused to accept limitations. His grandma is in heaven now and I know God, Himself, gave her his thanks for doing what she did for her grandson.

Gramps and I gave him two thumbs up and lots of praise also. He deserved even more than we could give him. I think he can do anything and everything he desires to do. He seemed like that kind of guy.

All of that conversation was before the movie started. His testimony certainly set the mood for enjoyment of the love story in the movie. We heard two love stories that day, one from the young man and one from the movie screen. I like the young man's story the best because I like stories of moms and grandmas who devote their lives to their offspring and refuse to accept death and defeat on their behalf. Now, that's real love.