You're Loved Just The Way You Are

YOU'RE LOVED JUST THE WAY YOU ARE

Trying to find my place in this world was a struggle. Growing up I didn’t fit into any neat categories, because I live in two different cultures with two different languages. Living with my family was like being in a foreign country without an interpreter – I was always guessing what was being said and got frustrated because I couldn’t understand.
Where ever my family took me, I went as an observer rather than a participant and tried to fit in the best I could. Moments of feeling accepted and being with others who could communicate with me were rare.

Where I live is like living in a border town. Only this town is not a destination on a map, but a place that continually moves with me. Where I live is between the Hearing and Deaf worlds. I have enough hearing to speak and talk, but it takes A LOT of energy to read lips and stay focused in a group conversation. So, after awhile, I become content to just observe what is happening. I miss out on being involved and contributing to a group.

I am Deaf and communicate in sign language, so I feel more at ease with people who can sign. When I met my husband, who is hard of hearing and can sign, we began going to church together, but it was awkward. I often had to rely on him to interpret for me and that wasn’t fair to him or our relationship. We were two people living in a border town and it was becoming too small for both of us! Where could we find our place?

Then in June of 2001, an opportunity came for us to move to Dallas. It wasn’t the best time to move, because I was almost 6 months pregnant. Buying a house, moving to a big city, and getting ready for a new baby during the hot summer was no fun.

In Dallas we discovered a church that had a place for us, for people who live on the border between the Deaf and Hearing worlds. At Lovers Lane United Methodist Church we found hearing and Deaf friends who accepted us and opened their hearts to us. Together we began building a community within a church that has Deaf and hearing people communicating and worshipping together.

Soon after moving to Dallas, our baby boy was born Deaf. I am so glad that now my son can experience what I missed growing up – a place where he and his hearing sister can be one family that can participate in the best of both the Deaf and Hearing worlds.

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