By Staff
DECATUR - Rick and Ferlonda Evans' son Abram was born with a rare genetic disease called Hunter Syndrome, or "Mucopolysacridosis."
Abram lived to be 16, and strangely he was born a twin of a brother named Adam, who was blessed not to have contracted this genetic handicap.
Medically, genetic experts said he should have had this problem, by all the laws of science, yet he was born normal.
Abram lived a life separated from the rest of the world, as far as his short stature and his cognitive abilities would allow.
He could never write a letter, nor pass a math test at school, but Abram's world was just what he made it - and to him he was the norm, not the world around him.
He never learned to fall in love, for his love was innate, an inner gift with which he was born.
He never learned how to be a friend for friendship was in the happiness he gave to all close to him.
And above all, laughter. His whole family learned how to laugh, for in Abram's world laughter was their medicine.
They learned how not to take life so serious because in Abram's world laughter was not in finding humor in the unfortunate differences of others.
He was always laughing, with laughter that came from his inner spring slowing into a fountain of which all around him were refreshed and in this learned life was fun.
They made a promise when Abram was taken 10 years ago this October.
This promise was to establish a monument for him.
Not a monument of him, for they believed he would not have wanted the recognition, "but a monument of what he represented."
He represented a joy, that he believed rests in us all. Now as we grow up we forgot the happiness of being a youth.
The family carved out a large pine tree, an 8-foot Mickey Mouse, of whom Abram so loved, fully painted and standing not far from the road, so all going by can see this giant Mickey coming out of the stump.
Since they started this project many have stopped on the roadside and taken pictures to send to their families.
Many have said, what a great job.
So if you ever want to find a smile on your face come to Decatur, and enjoy Abram's 8-foot Mickey Mouse.