Yes, even champions have to die. Trigger warning you may not want to read any further as this blog will include the topic of the death of a child.
Transform lost one of its first Champions who shaped its culture. Through his positive energy, smiles and willingness to try hard I started to believe in myself as he continued to improve and believed in me. He deeply touched the hearts of both my children at very impressionable ages (10 and 12 years old). His unique sense of humor and repetitive nature was easily addictive, fun to quickly join in on and lighten any mood.
When a child is here on earth for a short time and this time is spent fighting a battle few can understand (surgical recovery, rehab, chemo) on repeat… One can ask WHY? Why did this happen? Why my child? These are questions I have no answers to. I do see similarities in battles we all fight. We are all here to fight and be champions of our own battles; we are not always aware of them. Yours may be recovering from childhood trauma, divorce, body image issues, etc… When children battle they carry powerful lessons for us all.
When I watch young children go through these journeys I notice several things. A child is not afraid to cry. They cry when they are scared, hurt, need attention or are lonely. Adults have lost this fundamental skill to cry. Scientifically speaking, crying is good for you. It activates your parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest), brings back your vagal tone (equilibrium for your emotions), and releases endorphins which both numb the emotional and any physical pain you may have. After crying there is a mood boost which improves connections. I often see children cry and then laugh loudly. Children are also willing to embrace and engage. Preteen children do this easily and seek out moments with adults and each other to laugh, hug, high five. They often look like “Jekyll and Hyde” but really they are much more attune with normal roller coaster emotions of life. Laughter, family, close friends, pets, nature at its core. By teenage years the children are losing these skills much like the adults. Adults get disoriented by the everyday grind; we forget the very fabric that makes life meaningful. Embrace life, cry more, laugh a lot, love deeply and know that this too is all part of the ride. Learn from a child, I know I have and will continue to daily.
This cheer is for you Declan!
You were STRONG!
You were RESILIENT!
You were CAPABLE!
You were LOVED!
And…You POWERED ME UP!
Without you there would not be Transform Pediatric Physical Therapy.
Thank you for being a part of my life’s journey,
Marcella
