Three Rights

Angel Aware

In 1953, the famous wife of Roy Rogers, Dale Evans Rogers, wrote a book called “Angel Unaware” about their precious down syndrome daughter Robin who died in 1953. She was only two and a half years old. She wrote the book from little Robin’s perspective looking down from heaven. The title of the book is based on one of my favorite Bible passages. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

The book Angel Unaware was a favorite of my mother because she, along with mothers around the world, had entertained “Angels Unaware” in their own household. My parent’s angel was my brother Shawn. He was born in 1969 when I was 13 years old. I was the oldest of four brothers and he was the youngest.

Shawn was born breach, that is behind first, and it was a difficult birth. The umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck and that caused his brain to be deprived of oxygen for an extended period of time. The damage was permanent. Shawn went through three brain surgeries before he was two weeks old, and twice we were told he wouldn’t live through the night. My mother refused to accept that and, ever the prayer warrior, she invited everyone who would come to the hospital or pray from home to do so. Doctors described his survival as a miracle. Again, we were told that Shawn wouldn’t live past the age of 15. Today he is the living breathing evidence of my mom’s faith and prayers. On March 5th, he will turn 54 years old.

Several years ago, my mom contracted cancer. The thought that consumed her mind was what would happen to Shawn. Eleven days after she was diagnosed, I was able to go to Floresville while she was on hospice and sleep in the recliner next to her, praying with her, holding her hand, and reassuring her that her other three boys would take care of Shawn. A few years later my dad died with the same concern for Shawn as my mom. He fought hard to live but went to his reward.

Both of my parents made it clear that everything they had was to go to the care of Shawn, and my dad left guardianship and their property to my brother Ron who lived nearby in San Antonio. After my dad died, Ron bought a house on five acres near Kerrville. He sold mom and dad’s property in Floresville and built Shawn a brandnew small home of his own. Shawn loves it. However, there is one change that has taken some adjustment. His normal routine had been to walk all around Floresville every day and visit with his friends. Among them were Bryan and Carla Holcombe, who were killed in the shooting at Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church.

Since the move to Kerrville, he is out in the country and church is his only chance to socialize. To get him out more, Lori and I had him come to our house for the past month. Shawn and I have had a blast together. We even got to attend an Oak Ridge Boys Concert in Greenville last Friday.

On Monday I put Shawn on a plane to San Antonio where our brother Jeff will let Shawn spend a good deal of time in Floresville visiting his friends and attending the church that loves him so much.

Sometimes I envy the simplicity of Shawn’s life. He loves everybody he encounters, especially his family. I know that he is a gift from God and that he is and always has been our “Angel” described in Hebrews 13:2.