A Challenging Day

I hope you all had a wonderful week and are looking forward to a great weekend. If you think you've had a day full of challenges, I want you to think about life in different terms.

Imagine that you are 4 years old. Remember that time of life, full of exploration and wanting to do things for yourself. If you can't remember that far back, look at the next child you see and just observe them. Think of all of the running and walking that you did. The love of the outdoors. The catching of fireflies. Sliding down the sliding board. Climbing on the jungle gym. Life is good.

Now imagine that in order to walk, you have to wear plastic leg braces that cover your feet and go up to your calf. Velcro straps keeps them on your feet. Since the braces are plastic, you will have to wear socks with them as well as shoes to cover them. Think of how that would feel. Think about the weather that we've been having. 90 degree days. Do you feel a little warm with sandals on. Try wearing your winter boots to get the same feeling as the braces. You also have a metal walker with plastic grips to assist you wherever you want to go. The walker is a part of you. It even comes with a flip down seat.

Since you are 4 years old and need help, whenever you want to go outside, you have to have someone with you in case you fall. You want to ride your trike but can't get your legs to cooperate. Do you feel challenged yet? Staying indoors when you want to go out becomes a daily challenge.

Remember always asking your parents why? Wanting to know everything about everything. But now when you speak, you have a hard time pronouncing words. Instead of saying I love you. You say " I wub u". Saying Outside becomes Out IDE. People have a hard time figuring out what you are saying. You struggle to get the answers you want but you don't always get the answers you seek.

These are the kind of days that our son has. Does he complain? No. Does he cry? Yes, but only when he can't get his way or he's tired. Is his life terrible? Absolutely not. He carries enthusiasm and he is joyful in everything. He doesn't have a bad day. At least not yet.

If you really want to challenge yourself. Try going to the bathroom by standing on one leg (your weaker one) and go. Remove whatever you need to do to do the business at hand. C is learning how to remove his clothing and getting on the potty. In order to do this, he has to figure out how to brace himself in order to accomplish the task without having an accident. He does this with laughter and he doesn't show frustration.

I wrote this post so you will see that no matter what kind of day you've had, it probably wasn't as bad as you thought it was. Be joyful and thankful. C. is.

Be like C. No matter what life gives you, smile, say I love today and keep on moving. I know I certainly can take some lessons from him.

Have a great weekend.

Beamer 319