Gymnastics, Then and Now

Four years ago I sat in the car outside a Mommy and Me gymnastics class with 21 month old Max.  I cried on the phone to my mother, something about Max's development was not right.  Although my observations had been accumulating for a few months, this was the beginning point for us.  The beginning of evaluations, medical test, psychological tests, the diagnosis and diet.  It was also the beginning of Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physical therapy and more.  Since that time Max has never participated in an activity that was not somehow related to his health.  Everything was specialized, because that was what he needed.  

Our subsequent years of therapy have introduced us to some amazing therapists.  Each one adding to the strength and development of Max.  Last week we said goodbye to one of our all time favorites, Miss Beth.   She was Max's private OT for about a year and a half.  We all loved her and looked forward to our visits.  She worked Max hard and never let him quit.  Max has been known to use his charm to attempt to do less work than he should.  This did not work on Beth.  It was obvious that she enjoyed him (which endeared her to me even more) but she never let him slack off.  It was excellent training for him and for me too.  I can be such a push over with Max.  Beth has moved to another hospital, about an hour from our house.  We would love to follow her up there, but it is not practical for us.  It will be about 4 to 6 weeks until they can fill her position, and she was concerned about Max back sliding if we didn't keep him moving.  She suggested gymnastics, swimming and horseback riding. 

Gymnastics and Max, the idea brought back unpleasant memories.  I had already signed up Caroline for summer gymnastics, but I had not considered adding Max.  Max did therapy, that was his "sport".  However, I found myself this morning driving with an absolute knot in my stomach to the gymnastics studio.  Max was even more nervous than I was.  He cried.  He clung to Caroline in the waiting area.  As the ultimate big sister, she encouraged him.  "Buddy, remember how you hated VBS and then loved it?  It will be the same, you will hate it and then love it.  Really, you will!"  He clung harder.  Then the door opened and in walked a little girl from his preschool class and her sister.  He let go of Caroline and smiled.  He turned and followed them towards the gym with out even waiting for me.  The knot in my stomach began to release.

Today, four years later, I stood inside a gymnastic studio with tears in my eyes.  I couldn't help but be emotional, as I watched Max join the other children.  He needed extra help, but he was participating.  He tried every single activity.  There was no talk about adaptation.  His coach just started him at the beginning, where every young child starts.  It didn't matter that he could not jump or squat, they were still going to encourage him to do every activity, as safely as he could.  They pushed him, just like Beth.  Max was all smiles.  I took pictures, recorded video and sent out texts.  It was one of those moments where joy literally felt like it was pouring out of my body.  

Look at him try to do a handstand on his very first day!

Note the bottom right of the photo.  That is Caroline giving Max a thumbs up, she is such so encouraging to Max!

I often look back and marvel at how far we have come, but some days it hits me a bit harder than others.  Today was one of those days.  At first I was devastated that we were losing such an amazing therapist, now I am thankful.  We needed this gap, this push.  Max will still continue with private OT and OT through the school district in the fall.  However, he will also be in gymnastics!  And...he starts swimming this week too!

Answering the Call of the Lake

When we built our home over eight years ago, we found the perfect lot overlooking a lake.  After growing up sailing, the idea of being so close to water was a dream come true for me.  But just a year after moving in, Caroline was born.  The lake sat there, outside the window, either shimmering or frozen, always calling, but I never answered.  Last summer I stood on the boat launch looking out, with the kids on either side of me, the water at our toes.  "Someday I will get out there..."  But how?  Since the children were born our lives have pretty much revolved around them.  Each year has become more intense than the last.  We added therapy visits, medical tests and appointments for Max.  For Caroline there has been the usual assortment of sports and activities and Ray has always been so busy with work.  Then we started home schooling.  I love our life and the choices we have made have either been necessary, or what we wanted, or a combination of both.  However, in our recent attempts to live our lives more in the present, I have realized that I have neglected my own interests and passions far too long.  


Last week as I drove away from the house on errands, it struck me like a ton of bricks.  I was going to get out on that lake and I was going to do it soon.  I knew that to make my dream happen I needed a way to take the kids out on the water with me. I had looked into canoes last year.  But, I knew I could not handle a canoe on my own if Ray wasn't available to come with us.  I had also worried a canoe would be too unstable for Max, so I never got one.  I now thought perhaps a kayak might work, with the addition of a blow up boat.  I was going to get out on the water even if I had to literally drag the children behind me to accomplish it!  I did a lot of research, because even if an idea hits like a ton of bricks, I still need to let it sit just a bit longer.  Two days was about enough.  I really liked the kayak idea, one for Ray (so he could join us on weekends) and one for myself.  I got a smaller kayak for Caroline, since she was as keen as I was to get out on the water.  Max, however, wanted nothing to do with this idea.  But when I told him I could get him a blow up boat, with green accents, his favorite color, he sort of warmed up. 


I had hoped to get on the water right away, but the evening stormy weather kept us inside a few more nights.  Saturday arrived, and it was perfect.  The sun was shining and the water was like glass.  We loaded up the boats and headed to the boat launch.  Max was very concerned about this adventure and expressed quite a bit of angst.  He insisted Caroline and I go out first, which we did.  I don't know what was going on in his head.  Perhaps he thought we might sink or tip over.  

It was so wonderful to glide out into the water, Caroline and I were all smiles.  When Max saw that we were fine and having fun, he agreed to have his boat tethered to Ray's kayak.  And we were off!!

We had a marvelous time exploring the lake until our arms ached and I had a blister on my hand.  I was surprised how warm we got even though the weather was in the low 70s.  We had a great time splashing each other to cool off every time Max said in a dramatic voice, "I am OVER heating."  We returned home tired, a wonderful happy tired.

Now some might wonder about this choice for me.  I am not really the outdoor type or terribly athletic in any way.  Here is the secret to why kayaking on a lake is perfect.  First, you can stop at any time and just drift.  It does not look like you are worn out or dragging, no, you are just looking at a bird or an interesting cloud formation.  Second, since easily over heating runs in our family, I love having the water there to cool me off in an instant.  Third, it is water, calm peaceful water.  You just can't be stressed out while being on the water.  


I find myself smiling and looking out the window all the time now.  Eight years was too long to shelve an interest.  I am glad I answered the call of the lake!