Yesterday was the first time Carter had snow skied post TBI. It has been almost three years. He was a little unsettled at the start of the day, and told me several times he didn’t want to do a black run. I agreed, and told him I would make sure the instructor understood that. We got both kids set with their lesson and left them to get caught up. Around mid day, I spotted Carter and an instructor on a moderately, hard blue run. We stopped and talked and his very kind instructor invited who invited us to ski with them. The man was so good with Carter; encouraging, patient, kind, reassuring, but most of all affirming him for what he did well and making no big deal of the little struggles that would arise. Trevor and I got to talk to the instructor briefly during lunch and we were not sure how, but it was as if he had read the book of Carter. He knew his history, his strengths and weaknesses. After lunch we left them to work until the end of the day. When we picked him up at 2:45 he was beaming. “Mom, I did a black!” What a change from the morning. Later at dinner, my sister in-law told me what really happened yesterday morning and it brought tears to my eyes. Carter’s initial instructor moved him out of the teen group to an adult group because the teen group would mostly be doing black runs. Once he got to the top with the adult group, my SIL said he froze. Complete fear struck him and he would not move. Then, somehow he lost a ski and could not get it back on. The instructor asked my SIL, what is wrong with him, and she said, well you do know he has had a traumatic brain injury. He said, “no!” Why wasn’t I told that? The initial teacher was told but she didn’t pass the information on to him. So the instructor called in the man who ended up teaching Carter. He is a certified adaptive skiing trainer. More than all his qualifications, though, he made Carter believe in himself, feel comfortable, capable and at total ease. He brought him from the point of stuck in a state of fear to skiing a black run in just a matter of a few hours. My point in telling you all this is that our words, actions and how we treat people ascends all barriers, blocks and struggles. We have the ability to help people stay stuck or soar. It does not matter what the struggle is, the right teacher, coach, friend or caring person has the ability to change the landscape of a person’s day, even their life. I pray I remember to use my words of encouragement, affirmation, belief and comfort to always build people up because there are too many that have been broken down. This mama’s heart went to bed a little teary last night, but definitely with a smile.❤
Tag: calm
Speak Truth and Be Set Free
I can waste so much emotional and physical energy second guessing decisions or hitching myself to what should be instead of finding peace in what is. I recently read two sentences that have been a great antidote for that. I speak these two truths to myself many times a day when I get stuck.
They are little proclamations that set me free of myself. 1.) Realize that God means for you to be where you are. 2.) Do not put a question mark where God has already put a period. May you find peace here today friends.
Stand Still
One God, One People
I am a color, but my color does not define me.
I am born of a race, but I become who I choose to be.
God created me equal to all man so please respectfully acknowledge me.
I have a heart that beats just like yours. It sins and loves no matter what my ethnicity.
History holds a wealth of bondage from scars inflicted by ancestors, you and me.
The future does not have to reflect our wounds. The choice is for God’s people, no matter color, race, religion or gender to spread and live in harmony.
There are good and bad of every kind. Exclusive to no one; not yours or mine.
My birth branded me with many labels, but please don’t use them to judge me. I only wish to be known as the person who desires to reflect God in how I live, love and chose to be.
Kindness knows no boundaries in available hearts. It is immune to the prejudice or color, race or gender. It respects all, the receiver, and the lender.
We are all one. May our eyes be blind to any differences and our hearts be open to every kind. For it is in seeing, knowing and loving, many treasures we find.