BRave

I have shared many times how I mourned for the loss of my 'perfect' baby when Brahm was born.  All of my hopes and dreams for this child I carried simply vanished when we were told in those hours before his birth that he would have a disability.  

What I did NOT realize was how filled our lives would be.

Unlike our two older children who we push for the next goal, ensuring that they are in the right sports at the right age, get proper training, practice and the thousand other stressers that come with everyday youth athletics.  We have learned to cherish every single game, every single goal and every single attempt our mini marvel has - because it may jsut very well be his last.

Of course I feel the tinge of pain in my heart - one season of lacrosse and he is retiring - so hard to hear these words - "Mom, it jsut hurts my legs to much" he says in his high pitched 6 year old voice with the missing teeth lisp.

But such great joy was also experienced this weekend when he entered his first wrestling tournament.  

Now let me give you an idea of the environment our little guy is surrounded by.  We are fortunate that our school is a huge K-12.  The wrestling coach for the middle and high school offers a clinic twice a year for the elementary school kids.  THis is what ignited Brahm's fire.  

When I emailed the coach about letting Brahm try to wrestle this weekend and feeling the clock ticking on his physical ability to ever do so - he went above and beyond - making sure that the tournament director knew Brahm was tiny (33 lbs at 6) and short.

He also found Brahm a tiny little singlet to wear.  The coach sent his biggest high school wrestler (atleast 6'3" ) down to the 1st grade class to give Brahm the singlet, tell him how we could make it smaller AND pump him up.  Apparently, Brahm's status in the class also was raised because he knew one of the big guys LOL!

Little man's teacher even asked to come to the tournament - I really never thought an entire community would surround our son and love him like they do.

Oh he was pumped, and nervous for the tournament.  I - was jsut nervous.  I would prefer to keep my angel in a padded box but that isn't what God wants for this boy of ours.  So I put my brave face on and cheered.

We weren't sure how he would do, but we knew it would be fabulous or a disaster.  Although Brahm's body lets him down, his mind does not.  We could see that little stinker playing chess as he pinned each opponent.  After his final victory, our champion, danced around in joy.  We thought for sure he would come in second to this particular child but Brahm pinned him in the last few seconds.

His family rejoicing with him.  He knows the feeling of personal success.  We have no idea how long he will wrestle for before once again his body fails him.  But for today, this week he is our champion.  He has a larger than life trophy to remind him the sweetness of victory.  He is truly our inspiration.

 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.

                                                                   2 Samuel 17:10