Everyone Falls . . .

(Photo: bikeitmaui.com)

I always tell my kids, “Everyone falls”, to which they respond, “We get up”. It comes from a figure skating movie called ‘RISE’, about the demise of the 1961 U.S. figure skating team in a plane crash, and the subsequent rebuilding of American figure skating.

As my son learns to walk, it has been especially important to remind the kids that we all have stumbling blocks in life and can be guaranteed to fall. But we get up. I always say it is to my and my son’s benefit that he is a triplet because we don’t have time to fixate on his mobility issues. We just have to keep plugging away. He has the peer examples of my other two that are motivating, and he is a very determined little guy. If you aren’t bleeding or broken, get up. Doesn’t sound so compassionate, but rest assured I kiss every boo-boo and provide a gazillion hugs, band aids and ice packs for any and all situations. But the recovery time is fast because it is framed as momentary, not ongoing.

Some recent personal struggles have added stress, which is never fun. But on Thanksgiving, my son showed me what it takes. He got up. It was the first time he did that by himself. He was holding onto my husband, but he did all the work himself, struggling, wanting to give up, falling a little, but eventually doing it. I watched him with happiness welling up in me for him, realizing I need to live what I preach. It’s ok if I struggle and fall, as long as I eventually get up. My children need to see this.