Where there's a will, he'll make a way
March 25, 2012
We seem to have a new routine in our household when is comes to going to (or I should say, from) church. We seem to park in the same spot week after week. Although it’s not a handicapped spot, it’s one of the closest spot we could ask for. After we get out of the car, we unpack the walker, get him strapped in, coax him towards the door, and get him off to Sunday school.
Some weeks are better than others, but Nathan seems to be willing to go through the paces. On the way in, we pass by the serenity garden, a patch of green space outside the chapel which breaks up the otherwise solid asphalt parking lot. The highlight of the garden is a small footbridge, which is more decorative than functional, but adds something nice to the area.
For some reason, this bridge seems to be a favorite to Nathan as well. We basically make a deal with him that we’ll let him go over on the way out, and that seems good enough for him. As I’ve written before, our church is very supportive of Nathan, his abilities (not the disabilities,) find ways to include him as best they can, as well as help him develop into a true child of God as best they can. All that being said, as good of a time as he has at church, he still remembers our deal and looks forward to his part before we head home.
On the way to the bridge is a 15 foot grass section which has some inset brick stones. One outside factor is the fact that the weather has always seemed to have the grassy areas a little damp which allows his wheels to dig in a little, and that 15 feet seems more like 50. However, it’s amazing what a boy with a little self-motivation can do. Among the giggles and wiggles in the walker you can see how hard his legs churn. Granted, Annette and I won’t let his hard work go unrewarded. We’ll help him get out of a rut he’s created. We’ll help him get to the next paved stone, but still he has to provide the work.
Then the next realism suddenly sets in. The merge to the bridge is relatively flush, but it quickly becomes an uphill climb. Today’s message was, when faced with life’s adversities, never give up. I can’t think of anyone who personifies this better than Nathan. Even when he hits a point when it’s not his fault (there’s a point in the process where all two wheels are on the bridge and the other two are still in the grass, but his feet no longer touch the ground,) I’m proud that my son still works through to get his job done.
When he gets to the top of the bridge, he doesn’t rush down the other side. He takes his time, almost basking in his success. Several times, he’s reached out for the railing (typically out of his reach) but we coach him forward, finish the walk to the car and head home.
Nathan definitely wasn’t feeling like himself for most of this past week. (He’s been battling a case of croup.) This was his spring break, which wasn’t relaxing for any of us. As we all start recovering, it’s nice to know that he still has a strong will to push on and move forward. He’s the motivation we sometimes need to help him become the best little guy we think he can be.
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