1 00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:09,000 Speaker 1: Hello, friends, Welcome to Story Behind podcast. This is the 2 00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:12,200 Speaker 1: show for people who love hearing a good story and 3 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: who believe the world could use more positivity. We're the 4 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:18,919 Speaker 1: team behind God Updates and God Too, and we hope 5 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:22,880 Speaker 1: these weekly short stories will brighten your day. 6 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:29,760 Speaker 2: Married since nineteen fifty one, their seventy five year old 7 00:00:29,800 --> 00:00:33,000 Speaker 2: Secret to Lasting Love written by Michava Gordoni, read by 8 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:37,640 Speaker 2: Julie Provost. For one couple's seventy fifth anniversary, they shared 9 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:39,640 Speaker 2: the secret to love the last after seven and a 10 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:42,520 Speaker 2: half decades. Their answer is pretty good. They just tried 11 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:46,400 Speaker 2: not to fault each other for their mistakes. Hank and 12 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:50,280 Speaker 2: Marilyn so that risk was just nineteen and sixteen years 13 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:52,800 Speaker 2: old when they eloped in nineteen fifty one in California, 14 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:56,080 Speaker 2: soon after Hank was drafted for the Korean War. After 15 00:00:56,120 --> 00:00:58,720 Speaker 2: he completed service, they settled in Ohio and had three kids. 16 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:01,720 Speaker 2: Now they have nine grand care kids and sixteen great grandkids. 17 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:04,399 Speaker 2: Being able to share with each other the decisions they 18 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:06,400 Speaker 2: need to make and not argue about money and things 19 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:08,720 Speaker 2: like that, Hank said of how their marriage has lasted. 20 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:12,000 Speaker 2: Marilyn added, do for each other and get along, don't 21 00:01:12,040 --> 00:01:14,280 Speaker 2: try to find something wrong with the other person, trying 22 00:01:14,319 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 2: to find the good in them. Their granddaughter, Katrina said 23 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:20,479 Speaker 2: her grandparents are the living example of what it truly 24 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:23,120 Speaker 2: means to choose each other every single day, from the 25 00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:25,319 Speaker 2: summers I spent with you as a child, filled with laughter, 26 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:28,440 Speaker 2: life lessons, tearfield talks at the kitchen table, and the 27 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:30,880 Speaker 2: comfort of knowing I was deeply loved, to the cherished 28 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:33,160 Speaker 2: time I get with you now. Your presence of my 29 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:36,160 Speaker 2: life has been one of my greatest blessings. She told them, 30 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:38,480 Speaker 2: you didn't just build a marriage, You built a legacy, 31 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 2: a legacy of patience, faith, sacrificed humor, forgiveness and enduring love. 32 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:46,000 Speaker 2: Watching the way you care for one another, respect one another, 33 00:01:46,080 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 2: and continue to hold hands after seventy five years has 34 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 2: shape my understanding of what marriage is meant to be, 35 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:54,080 Speaker 2: she said. She says her grandparents' loving marriage has had 36 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:57,400 Speaker 2: a significant influence on her own. When I think about commitment, 37 00:01:57,440 --> 00:01:59,320 Speaker 2: I think of you. When I think about working through 38 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:01,840 Speaker 2: life's season together, I think of you. When I think 39 00:02:01,880 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 2: about choosing love, even on the hard days, I think 40 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:06,760 Speaker 2: of you, She said. Your story reminds me that lasting 41 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:09,840 Speaker 2: love isn't about perfection. It's about perseverance, partnership and putting 42 00:02:09,880 --> 00:02:12,840 Speaker 2: each other first. She added that her grandparents gave her 43 00:02:12,840 --> 00:02:16,080 Speaker 2: a perfect image of what forever looks like. Thank you 44 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:18,400 Speaker 2: for the memories, the wisdom, the prayers, and the steady 45 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:21,200 Speaker 2: foundation you've given all of us. She continued, Seventy five 46 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:23,840 Speaker 2: years is extraordinary, but the love behind it is even 47 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 2: more so. I love you both more than words can say. 48 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:29,440 Speaker 2: What a beautiful sediment from the granddaughter and wise words 49 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:32,600 Speaker 2: from this lovely couple. I hope they enjoy many more 50 00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:48,840 Speaker 2: happy years together. Nine year old with big Heart creates 51 00:02:48,880 --> 00:02:52,359 Speaker 2: autism emergency kits for first responders written by Heather Wrigglemann 52 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 2: read Buduley Provost I must read about a nine year 53 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 2: old with a big heart who created autism and emergency 54 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:00,320 Speaker 2: kits for first responders. If you're a parent of child 55 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:02,280 Speaker 2: on the spectrum, you know that there's a whole world 56 00:03:02,440 --> 00:03:04,680 Speaker 2: most people never see. You'll learn the ins and outs 57 00:03:04,680 --> 00:03:08,000 Speaker 2: of sensory overload, the subtle signs of anxiety for its spirals, 58 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 2: and how a favorite object or familiar sound can calm 59 00:03:11,040 --> 00:03:14,440 Speaker 2: a storm in seconds. He become fluent in language that 60 00:03:14,480 --> 00:03:17,080 Speaker 2: the rest of the world often doesn't understand. In a 61 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:20,519 Speaker 2: world that feel overwhelming at times, it is also filled 62 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:24,240 Speaker 2: with brilliant compassion and kids who feel everything deeply. Not 63 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:26,960 Speaker 2: everyone gets the blessing of seeing the world through that lens, 64 00:03:27,240 --> 00:03:29,520 Speaker 2: but one incredible little boy is helping change that for 65 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 2: first responders everywhere. Honestly, the idea he came up with 66 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:36,120 Speaker 2: probably should have existed a long time ago, but if 67 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:38,400 Speaker 2: it had, the sweet boy might not have had his 68 00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:41,560 Speaker 2: moment to shine. Nine year old Ledger Grace and Mann, 69 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:44,240 Speaker 2: the son of a Virginia police officer, recently came up 70 00:03:44,280 --> 00:03:47,119 Speaker 2: with a simple yet powerful idea that it's helping first 71 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:51,080 Speaker 2: responders better care for kids with autism during emergency. The 72 00:03:51,160 --> 00:03:54,760 Speaker 2: inspiration came after his dad, Sergeant James J. T. Mann, 73 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 2: of the Prince George Country Police Department, was dispatched to 74 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 2: help search for a missing child with autism them. When 75 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 2: the child was safely found, Sergeant Mann instinctly tried to 76 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:06,960 Speaker 2: calm them by handing over his phone and playing a 77 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:11,080 Speaker 2: familiar kid's YouTube show. The familiar sounds helped the child 78 00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 2: relax until they could be reunited with their family. Later 79 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:17,039 Speaker 2: that evening, Sergeant Man shared the experience with Ledger and 80 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:20,000 Speaker 2: discuss safety in what someone might do if Pledger ever 81 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:24,120 Speaker 2: needed help in an emergency. That conversation sparks something remarkable. 82 00:04:24,400 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 2: Ledger suggested creating backpacks specifically designed for first responders to 83 00:04:28,520 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 2: carry kits filled with tools that could comfort children with 84 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 2: autism during stressful situations. The bags, now called LGM Bags, 85 00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:40,000 Speaker 2: are filled with thoughtful items. Ledger himself helped choose inside 86 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:43,640 Speaker 2: our noise canceling bluetooth headphones so a child can listen 87 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:47,520 Speaker 2: to music or watch a show, along with stuffed animals, figitoys, 88 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:50,920 Speaker 2: a small ball, a blanket in sensory tools. There's also 89 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:53,240 Speaker 2: a dry erase board, and flash cards with pictures to 90 00:04:53,279 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 2: help non verbal children communicate their needs. The goal is 91 00:04:56,560 --> 00:04:59,120 Speaker 2: simple but powerful, help a frightened child feel safe and 92 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 2: understand until they can be reunited with the trusted adult. 93 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:05,839 Speaker 2: What makes the story even more touching is how Ledger 94 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:08,680 Speaker 2: got started. He didn't just suggest the idea, He funded 95 00:05:08,680 --> 00:05:11,360 Speaker 2: the first bags himself. Lger took one hundred dollars out 96 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:14,360 Speaker 2: of his piggy bank and created five kids, which were 97 00:05:14,440 --> 00:05:17,279 Speaker 2: first issued to his father's police department. Since then, the 98 00:05:17,320 --> 00:05:20,719 Speaker 2: idea has grown into a grassroots effort supported by the community. 99 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:24,320 Speaker 2: Donations from local organizations like the Fraternal Order of Police, 100 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:27,279 Speaker 2: the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars have 101 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:30,279 Speaker 2: helped expand the project. So far, sasty and bags have 102 00:05:30,320 --> 00:05:33,160 Speaker 2: been distributed, with plans to place them in police cars, 103 00:05:33,240 --> 00:05:37,279 Speaker 2: fire trucks, ambulances, hospitals and schools throughout the region. For 104 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:40,440 Speaker 2: Sergeant Man, the project is sleepy personal. Becoming the father 105 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:42,359 Speaker 2: of a child with autism changes of the way he 106 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 2: sees his work as a police officer. Nine years ago, 107 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:47,479 Speaker 2: I looked differently at autism. I didn't fully understand it. 108 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:50,440 Speaker 2: He shared The knowledge my son provides me helps me 109 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:53,840 Speaker 2: be a better officer. Sometimes the people teaching the world 110 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:56,520 Speaker 2: the most important lessons are the ones we least expect. 111 00:05:56,760 --> 00:05:58,479 Speaker 2: And sometimes it takes a nine year old boy with 112 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:01,200 Speaker 2: a big heart and a piggybank to help first responders 113 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:03,960 Speaker 2: see children with autism in a new light. Because every 114 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 2: child deserves to feel safe, especially in their scariest moments. 115 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:09,719 Speaker 2: Let the little children come to me, for the Kingdom 116 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:11,239 Speaker 2: of Heaven belongs to such as these. 117 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:21,599 Speaker 1: Matthew nineteen fourteen, Thank you so much for listening to 118 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:25,080 Speaker 1: Story Behind podcast. We're really glad you joined us for 119 00:06:25,120 --> 00:06:28,400 Speaker 1: this week's story. To see photos and videos that may 120 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:31,240 Speaker 1: have been referenced in this episode, check out the links 121 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:33,919 Speaker 1: and the show notes, And if you enjoyed what you 122 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:37,240 Speaker 1: heard today, subscribe to our podcast and please tell a 123 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:40,240 Speaker 1: friend about us. We'd also love it if you'd rate 124 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:43,120 Speaker 1: us and leave us a review. It really does help 125 00:06:43,160 --> 00:06:46,520 Speaker 1: more people find us. Story Behind is a Salem Web 126 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 1: Network production.