"We really miss the Meuwissens," said Karen.  "Mary was so good to us.  Even with her busy schedule she'd stop to visit as though she had all the time in the world ... We also miss Michelle and Bryan Pogue who moved, too .. And Lori and Dan Swanson.  Dan would ride by on his four-wheeler, and would take the boys for rides.  He had a heart of gold and a soft spot in his heart for Steve.  Dan would say that he and his four-wheeler could take Steve places where Steve's legs couldn't ... This neighborhood has really rallied behind us so we miss those who leave."

Do the twin boys watch much television?  "Not very much," replied Steve.  "Mom and Dad don't let us."  But they spoke of a favorite movie, Dennis the Menace with Walter Mathau.  They spoke of a favorite book, Eyewitness Junior.  And they spoke of brother John's recent Good Neighbor Award from his class at Jonathan Elementary.  "The award was for being kind, for being a friend, for going the extra mile," said Karen.  Added brother Scott, "When John is done with his math, he helps others in his class."
"It's been like the blink of an eye and our babies became 6 and 8 years old," said the wistful mother.  "This is a family and we are in this together.  Steve is so happy, even with so much strife in his life.  He has surprised everyone and has lived and flourished.  He thinks it's no big deal that he can't run and walk ... His surgeries have been incredibly successful."
"Don't talk about it too much, Mom," repeated the little boy.
"Why don't you show what you can do in your wheelchair," Karen suggested.
"Okay," said Steve, who was able to maneuver from the back of his scooter, up into his wheelchair by himself and with the strength of his arms.
Then he positioned himself in the kitchen next to the microwave oven, at one end of a long hallway.  With the eraser end of a long pencil, he reached for and touched the numbers on the micro-wave and set its timer for 30 seconds.  Then he touched the "Start" space with the eraser end and took off down the hallway, his strong little arms turning the wheels so very fast.
At the end of the hallway, he made a precision turn and then raced back to the kitchen to shout with the remaining numbers clicking away on the microwave timer " ... SIX ... FIVE ... FOUR ... THREE ... TWO ... ONE ... ZERO!"
"Would you like to see how fast I can do it?" asked the other six-year old.
"Most certainly," replied the editor.  Scott set the timer, touched the start space, and tore off down the hallway with his little legs racing so very fast, returning in ten seconds.  Together the twin boys are on their way to setting world records.
It was an extraordinary afternoon with Karen Eischens and sons Scott and Steve who are reaching for the sun and the moon and the stars.  Their minds transcend, their attitudes propel, their spirits soar, and their personalities rise to meet the occasion, to meet life.  They are like twin towers in a family that aspires and inspires.
Says Karen, "I think it's part of God's plan for our family."

P.S.  It was fun meeting you, John, and your dad on Sunday.  I hope you didn't catch a bad cold playing football in the snow. -- Sue