The Boys Next Door Act II

As I read the many scene of these handicapped men, I am reminded of the simple things that I take for granted in everyday life. It is a blessing, and I thank God that I have a strong mind that can think out common situations. There are times when I am not reacting with a grateful heart about how gifted I am! People compare themselves with other people on so many things in life.
But, can I compare myself with myself. Then I would know how fornuately I have to have a good mind. I pause now to say thank you lord, for the mind that you have given me. I will strive daily to keep the mind of Christ within me.

Lucien is trying to vaccum and does not have the cord plugged into the electricity. He does not even know it. His roommate has to tell him to plug it up. Lucien does not like loud sounds, which he has to tolerate while he is vaccuming. The next thing, Lucien does not understands how the dust gets into the house, when there are no trees around the home. For the mental disable this is a great chore to vaccum the floor and without the understanding of why the floor needs to be vaccummed.

Norman has a desire to have a baby boy and a baby girl with Sheila. In reality, this probably will never happen. Having children for the mental disabled is discouraged, and they are given procedures to not be fertile, as it would cause more problems in their lives. For females I know that this must be hard, because it is the desire of most women to have children within a lifetime.

You know, a mind is a terrible thing to waste. These guys take literally everthing that you say to them, "Hold your horses," "You got horses." It is normal to make everyday expressions to pass the time away, without being serious. But, for the handicap every word you say to them is serious. Yet, the handicap can manage to use humor to make a day. What a great God that we have.

In this play when the men are talking they all mingle each conversation together. How is it a wonder to get some understanding out of a straight question or answer.

I complain about having to do the dishes at time. Here with the handicap it is a struggle to complete a simple chore like washing dishes. What are suds? What do suds do? Can you image not understanding suds in the dish water!

Mr. Klemper is a character that I don't care much for. Because he is a mental handicap man with one arm, my sensitivity goes out there for him. Because he talks awful. I wonder what his childhood might have been like. As an adult I'm sure that he does not understand his personality either. As a part of society, I accept him just the way that he is. Because I don't know why he is the way that he is.

I have the greatest respect for the author who took the time to write a play like this one. So many times society looks over at the mental handicap and put them out of their mind. The mental handicap is yet God's creation. The mental handicap is not to be pitied but to be accepted, even though we can not explain why they are in that position.

I don't quite know what all to say about the mental handicap. But I will take to a better attitude when I see someone in that way. It is a blessing to have dear life, and I thank my God for life!