With Thanksgiving coming up everyone is thinking about all the things they are thankful for. Being thankful is not something we should just think about on this holiday but everyday. It’s something that people, including myself, seldom forget. Why is it so easy to forget for some people? I think it’s because to be truly thankful you must feel or experience something so deeply that it changes you. If you haven't had this moment yet I hope it comes for you and if it hasn’t I hope my “be thankful” moment is something you feel the same way I felt it.
It was a weekday in the summer at my job, myself and a few other co-workers had to monitor an event for kids with disabilities. The place I work is called Bounce! Trampoline Sports. If you have never heard of or seen a trampoline sports park you should note everything is nothing but trampolines. As the kids came flooding in with smiles on their face it naturally just put a smile on mine. I played with multiple kids that afternoon and just watching them experience something like this for the first time was such a great feeling. It’s really not something you get to do everyday.
After monitoring the one station, I was switched to another and that is where I experienced something that will change my outlook on life forever. As I entered the room I saw a boy in a wheel chair. I thought, this poor boy can’t even jump because he is stuck in that chair, why would they bring him here to sit in the chair and watch all these kids having fun when he can’t do anything? Approaching him I thought I was going to see a pout on his face and that is the quite opposite of what I saw. This boy was smiling ear to ear, throwing blocks at the kids and cheering them on. All I thought was how? I kept thinking if that was 8 year old me I would be so angry, upset and I would probably be throwing a tantrum.
It was that moment I realized how life is so precious. It did not matter that he couldn’t jump on a trampoline, throw a basketball or swing from the monkey bars. Him seeing all his friends laugh and play was enough to make him happy. His presence and smile brought so much cheer and joy to the room It was awe-inspiring.
There is a saying I’ve heard many times but never paid too much attention to until that day it’s, “God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers”. God gave this boy this battle because he knew amongst all other people he would be the one to fight through it with a smile on his face. He knew this boy could give more to life to other people than some could. He knew this boy was going to change someone. He knew he would smile through the pain and laugh through the cries.
With everything going on in the world I felt it was a story I needed to share. If you are healthy, have a roof over your head and food on the table always be thankful. How dare you be sad when there are people with disabilities, no limbs, no eyesight, no hearing, no parents, no home, no food and so much more. I pray for all who have to deal with these struggles everyday. So this holiday season I hope at least one person reading this can feel the joy of life and live everyday like it is their last. Get out there and give back to those less fortunate, those who are serving over seas and those who are disabled. Life is worth living so live another day.
