terrypetersen

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. (Nelson Mandela)

Kate somersaults across the living room—with a cast on her left hand. “Did you see that, Grandma?”

“I sure did.”

“I’m going to do it even better this time.”

I want to yell, No, we don’t need any more trips to the hospital! But, her movements are confined, and the other kids are in the toy/computer room right now, so she isn’t going to knock anyone over. (Whether toy or computer comes first depends upon whether kid or computer plays the dominant role.) Besides, I am the one who was on the phone when our granddaughter broke her finger diving into the couch. The cast was necessary because the break affects a growth plate. I heard her scream, and then went into shock for a day or two.

She rode through her ordeal like a soldier and flashes her red and blue cast as a badge of honor. In fact, there are no more spaces on it for Grandma to sign her name. A place to fit initials would be difficult to find.

Children’s bones bend and heal easier than a grownup’s bones do. It seems my eight-year-old girl’s spirit is mighty powerful, too. Kate is drawn to children with special needs. She doesn’t see them as different; she sees them as people, like herself, with challenges. Perhaps having a younger cousin with Down syndrome has given her that blessing; perhaps that gift is innate. I don’t know.

I watch Kate perform one more somersault. With a smile. With ease. And I know I’ve learned something important about resilience.

pic from MorningCoach.com