Jump Back Up

Dear Gabriel,

I think you are teaching me better than any 'self help' guru ever could how to jump back up when I fall.

The past few days we have been playing soccer in the driveway. I guard the street and you try to kick the ball past me for the 'goal'. Well, the first day you kept tripping and falling... tripping and falling.... tripping and falling. But the amazing thing is, you jumped right back up when you fell.

Today when I looked at you while we were playing, you had many more bruises, scratches and scrapes - but you were running faster, kicking better and falling less. And I think it is because you jump back up every time you fall.

Everyday 'figuratively' I trip and fall in some way. Some days I complain. Other days I whine. Sometimes I just stay there and don't get back up at all. But other days, I do jump back up. There are times I fall and my bruises are in the same place, often I wonder to myself, "Will this bruise ever really go away?"

If I allow myself to learn from your example and jump back into this game of life, even though I have bruises, scratches and scrapes, I will run faster, play better and smile more from my lessons. Remember this lesson to... Every new game you learn to play, you will probably fall more in the beginning.

But always jump back up... especially in the game of life.

I love you,

Your Mom