This year was the first year that our oldest grandson, Randy, 12 years old, played tackle football. In this grandpa’s totally unbiased opinion, I thought he did pretty well (before he broke his finger). And most importantly, he had fun.
But as I watched him, I often thought about our late, special-needs son Peter, and how much he would have enjoyed seeing his nephew Randy play. In our house, there’s something special about football. But Peter’s nephew Eli also played baseball this summer, and niece Adeline is in dance. I know how much he would have enjoyed seeing them participate in their activities too.
Peter would have had a blast watching all of them, and would have enjoyed taking in all of their successes and stumbles immensely. Not just because they were his nephews and niece, but because Peter was the kind of person who was truly invested in other people, and vicariously enjoyed their experiences as if they were his own.
Because of Peter’s serious disabilities, he became a master of adapting how he approached life A couple of ways were 1) truly being thankful for the things he could do, and taking joy in them, and 2) finding happiness in others’ experiences. Things like:
– If I can’t play sports myself, I’ll be the best statistician I can be, will rejoice in the experiences of my friends, and will be thankful to be a part.
– If I have to get my nourishment through a feeding tube, I can still enjoy the fellowship and ambiance of a meal with others.
– If I’m limited in being able to go out with friends, I’ll interact with them through social media.
– If I can’t be a dad, I’ll be the best uncle I can be. And more.
Having grown up in a house of mostly males, I’m guessing watching dance would have been something of a stretch for Pete. But he would have done it, and enjoyed it. And he would have enjoyed all of his nephews’ and niece’s activities as much as if he were doing them himself.
Which is just one more example of Peter’s taking a lemon, and making great lemonade. And which my book about Peter, He Made Us Better: A Story of Faith, Family, Friends (and Football) is about.
As you go about your day today or the next few days, pause to ask yourself, “Are there some ways in which I can be thankful for the ‘little things’ in life?” And, “Can I draw enjoyment from the successes of others, as much as if they were my own?”
