The Joy of Jobies

Mira is a Jobie.  For those not familiar, Job's Daughter's is a youth group of the Free Mason's.  Mira became a  Job's Daughter shortly after her dad became a Mason.  Mira loves Jobies with all her heart.  It is her favorite thing to do.  I was scared to have her join.  It is a group of young women that I didn't know.  I had all the fears that most special needs parents have.  How will the girls react to her?  Will they accept her?  How will they treat her?  And what about the other parents? Parents that don't know what it is like to have a child with special needs.  Parents that haven't been around children with special needs.  

Fast forward two years and every time I go to a Jobie event I am amazed by this group of young woman.  The Jobies have accepted Mira with open arms.  She is loved, accepted and treated with such kindness that it brings tears to my eyes.  The girls are leaving for Grand Session today.  Mira has had her bags packed for weeks.  At Grand Session the girls will be competing at a ritual.  They are scored and judged on their memorization.  Speaking and memorization is not something that Mira does well.  So when I went to the meeting I was planning on having them sit Mira out of the competition.  I would hate for the whole Bethel not to do well because of Mira's lack of speech.   However, the girls had already insisted that Mira participate since she is a member of the Bethel.  The Honor Queen has asked the judge if they would be willing to make accommodations for Mira in the judging.  They knew she could say no, and they still wanted Mira to participate.  

Regardless of the outcome of Grand Session, these young woman are winners. They don't see Mira as different.  She is just one of the girls.  

I hope they have the time of their lives over then next few days.  I know they will be creating memories to last a lifetime.  I am so proud of Bethel 77 and I know that their compassion will shine at Grand Session.