Today's Question(s) for the Reader:
1) What is an opportunity you have experienced or will experience in your life for which you are incredibly grateful?
Wake-up Call
This blog is dedicated to my friend Chris.
Chris and I aren't great friends--we don't hang out all the time and I've never met his parents. Chris and I really don't even know each other that well. What I do know of Chris is that both of our families have lake cottages on Wawasee and we both like to wakeboard and party in the summertime. I know that I enjoy his company, that he is very active, and that he laughs a lot. Everything I know about Chris tells me that he is a great guy.
"On Sunday afternoon (8-8-10 @ 5pm), Chris sustained an injury that fractured the C4 and C5 vertebrae in his neck. He was airlifted to Methodist Hospital (Neuro Critical care Unit) in Indianapolis. On Monday (8-9-10) at 2pm, Chris underwent surgery for 3-4 hours to fuse together the broken vertebrae and to stabilize them from causing any further damage. At this moment, Chris is mostly unable to move from the shoulders down."
This is excerpt from an online journal kept on Chris. I was informed of his injury soon after I arrived in Finland by mutual friends. My heart sank. Questions raced through my mind as I processed what had happened.
Can this be real? Might he really be paralyzed from the neck-down?
This can be fixed, right? A guy like that can't have this happen permanently.
How could this happen? He's young, healthy, and vibrant. He doesn't deserve this.
Why him?
And then I prayed and prayed and prayed. Just like everyone back home.
And, just like everyone else, I had to face the reality this can happen to guys like that. It can happen to anyone.
We've heard it all before: Life is short. Life is fragile. Give thanks. Carpe diem. The list goes on.
As we carry on in our daily routines the weight of those phrases beings to lesson. Life is short and fragile and blah blah blah... Gotta get to work, gotta write this essay, gotta pay this bill, gotta ace this test, ugh I hate my job, ugh that woman drives me crazy, ugh please let this week be over.
It's the tragic moments in our lives, the wake-up calls, that shoot us back to reality.
Planes fly into twin towers. 33 killed in a university massacre. 28-year-old girl dies of massive heart attack. Friend broke his neck and may be a quadriplegic.
Upon learning of these tragedies, we are silent and reflect.
And then it hits us: Life is fragile.
So what do we do about it?
That is what I'm trying to figure out as I peck away at my computer in my little apartment in Aland. I'm looking out my window. It's a gorgeous day. A Finnish woman with white-blond hair and a leather jacket just rode by on her bicycle. A tiny European car just pulled into the lot. Leaves rustle from the island breeze. I feel thankful to be here and for this opportunity and I wonder if that is enough. Are we ever thankful enough?
So far in my life, I have been lucky enough to be spared extreme tragedy. Gunshots were never fired at my university and I'm not in a neuro critical care unit hoping to recover my ability to move. And not only have I been spared such horror, but I have been blessed in countless ways. I have spent my life surrounded by loving people and have been given great opportunities. I am so grateful.
So again? What do we do about it?
What do we do for those who were not spared? What about my friend Chris, who lives in a Rehabilitation Hospital and has endless hours of therapy ahead of him with hopes that he may one day return to his life as he once knew it?
The Inspiration
Today I will play in biggest game of my life. In just over 3 hours, I will play in the European Champions League and face FFC Turbine Potsdam.
Potsdam, a city just southwest of Berlin, boasts this team of Champions League defending champs. Every single woman on the team is German with the exception of one Japanese National team player. Many of her German teammates also complete in International play. In last year's Champions League, they also drew the Finnish champions for the first round and beat them 8-0. I have seen video of them play. They are strong, fast, and their passes are precise and played with extreme pace. They are incredible football players--some of the best I have ever seen.
In short, we are the underdog.
I have 30 minutes until I will leave my apartment and ride my bike to our home-pitch. My heart is racing. I am nervous. I have heard that everyone from island is going to be there. I have never played for a crowd this big. No one expects us to win.
And maybe we won't. But I don't care. This is one of the greatest opportunities of my life. Not many Americans, men or women, have been given this chance to play in the European Champions League. I am thankful. We have nothing to lose. I love this sport and I get to be in the starting 11 against some of the best players in the world. I am excited. Even if we lose 12-0, I am thankful for this opportunity. And maybe, just maybe, we won't.
After over a month of rehab, Chris posted this in his online journal:
"Today came the biggest news yet. With the help of two therapists, I was able to completely put pressure on both legs and my spine, and stand completely upright for about 20 seconds!!! I didn't think I was ready, didn't think that would happen for several more weeks, but my legs have gotten stronger and it shows."
Chris, you are an inspiration. I read your journal every day. And now, without fear and because life is short and fragile, I'm about to play my ass off in the biggest game of my life.
Here we go, United!
Don't forget Today's Question for the Reader!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Bex,
You have, very swiftly, become one of my favorite people in my life. And I'm very greatful for the opportunity to get to know you and become your friend. I admire your passion and your courage....Not sure if I've ever told you this but I have a cousin who was paralized from the chest down about 15 years ago and the story of Chris is very inspiring to me. So thank you for sharing his story and I will pray for his full recovery. I'm also very greatful that you're beginning something special with a certain someone whom I deeply care about and I'm very excited for your bright future! I hope to be apart of your life for many years to come! As far as the game.....Kick some ass and take some names! Those chicks from Potsdam have never seen an American play like you are going to play! Win!.....Period =)
Your Friend,
FD
FD,
Wow, thank you so much for that message. I read it after a tough loss to Potsdam, and it made me feel pretty damn good. You told me about your cousin when we were at my lakehouse the last time. From the chest-down--that really is tragic. I hope he has managed to find happiness in spite of his life-changing injury. You actually met my friend Chris the first time you were at the lake. He is the one that joined us in flippy cup and drove us to the Frog.
And, my dear FD, you should also know that I am very thankful to have you in my life as well. I sort of stumbled upon all you guys at the beginning of this summer and it had been nothing but fun ever since. And I'm excited to see where it all goes with me and that special someone, too. :) Can't wait for more good times in the mothaf'n fuuuuuutuuureee!! Haha.
See you soon, buddy! Miss all you guys!
Little,
Great article! I love it. I posted a link to your blog on my fb page and i'm going to send this to our team. Very inspiring. Have a great day - Sue Moynihan
Little...Wow! When I read that it instantly took my mind back in time. I can hear Sue calling you that. I to am inspired by your story and passion. You have a way with words that is very touching and heart felt. I will also be praying for your friend Chris. I wish him the power and strength of a full and healthy recovery. I am very proud of you for playing and representing the United States, it could not have happened to a better and deserving person. Little you have always played with passion and heart and that is one of the many things I love about ya!! As I sit and look out my work window seeing the leaves change you remind me to not take things for granted. I am glad that Sue posted this on her sight I needed this inspiration in my current state of mind. Kid get home safe enjoy and take in what you have accomplished. You have many people who love and admire you!!!
Moppert Oh and Baby Will says you rock Aunt Little :)
Sue and Moppert--
Thanks so much for reading the blog and taking the time to comment!
Sue, you used to read all kinds of inspirational things to us at Purdue, I am happy to return the favor! I hope your girls liked it as well. I owe you another email here soon.
Moppert! So good to hear from you! I have really enjoyed keeping up with you and your little family on facebook. Little Will is such a sweetie! Jeez Mopp, can you believe it's been 7 years since we were runnin' around on the pitch together? You know you were a hero to me, the little freshman. Ha and then you were there for me with the...well, the night I had to go to the hospital. Haha. I will never forget that!! Thank you for praying for my friend. I hope that he will continue to progress.
I wish you the best in everything Moppert! You are a great person and a good friend and I am thankful for having you in my life! Take care, buddy! Hugs to little Will from Aunt Little!!
Post a Comment