Love never misses a step

Like most, the Olympics has dominated the television in our home. Watching athletes with the most beautiful bodies, hard work, perseverance and stamina. Tears and laughs abound and even when it’s not an athlete from the USA, we cheer for a great performance and feel bad for those who weep after a poor performance. All that hard work and emotion is out-loud for the world to see on their faces and in tears of frustration or tears of joy.

People often say to me “I don’t know how you do it” or “you are so strong” or “I would never be able to handle what you do”. I smile sometimes and let it roll off but more often then not I remind that everyone is a split second away from joining my world. An accident, mis-step, wrong turn, wrong place wrong time, diagnosis or birth injury from being in my shoes.

I have been watching videos for the Special Olympics online. This video captured my heart. An athlete that trained, was expected to win and in a split second his world changed. What didn’t change was his parents love. Watching the video – the part that screamed love – and brought me to sobbing tears was a father that fights others out of his path. Pushes those who want to interfere, away from his path. A path toward his child. A path to help his child in pain. A path to support, love, guide and whispers of faith. That is what a parent does every single day but parents to those with special needs face an uphill battle every single day. Doctors, therapist, schools, insurance companies and people we meet in daily life that stare, judge and use language that hurts my child. I will push and shove just like this father does. I will carry her to the finish line. I will support, love, guide and whisper faith into her ear every single day of my life. I may not be able to “fix” her but she sure has fixed me even when I didn’t know anything was wrong 🙂 Enjoy the love and let the tears flow.