KATHLEEN O'DONNELL
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The Secret to a Life

3/12/2015

17 Comments

 
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There's a reason why the saying is, "out of the mouths of babes," and not "out of the mouths of 40 year-olds." The young view the world with a clarity that eludes anyone past puberty. As we grow older, our ability to see most situations as either black or white gets clouded with at least 50 Shades of Grey. Children have no such filters. Good manners and political correctness don't cloud their judgment or still their tongues.

If you want to get your life right, ask a kid. They will set you on the straight and narrow tout de suite (The Wonder).

Our four-year-old granddaughter Amelie said, "Sometimes boys marry boys and girls marry girls." The "now you don't have to worry about this anymore and feel free to mind your own business," was implied.

When our granddaughter Madison was five she handed in her test paper blank because, as she told her teacher, "I did this ten times yesterday. You already know I know how to do it." (A Dog's Life)

Even our two-year-old grandson dishes out Obi-Wan worthy wisdom in daily soundbites. If you ask him something - anything - he says NO at least 50% of the time. 

I'll let you chew on that one.

Then there's Adelia - the sage. As some of you know, Adelia is our seven-year-old granddaughter who suffers from an ataxic cerebral palsy like disease. She is unable to walk more than a couple of nerve-wracking, dangerously unstable steps without the aid of a walker, but gets around best via wheelchair. Yet, somehow her spirit thrives in inverse proportion to her physical decline (The High Cost of Living, Don't Cry Mom, Sho You Right).

Not long ago, on a rainy day in the middle of the street, she told me the secret to a life well lived. In a handful of words, she re-wrote the book on success.

"Count to three, Mimi," she said.

"For what?"

"I want to race my brother."

Race? It had taken us ten, painful minutes to walk/carry/lurch from her front door to the curb, two-year-old Che Jr. trailing us. A vice grip on my hand the only prop between her face and a concrete disaster.

"Adelia, racing's not a great idea," I said. 

"Yeah, come on, count. Let go." She pulled out of my grasp, almost losing her balance.

Like an idiot, I let her boss me (in my weak defense, I let all my grandkids boss me). "Okay...one, two, three..."

Che Jr. took off as fast as his fat toddler legs would go. Adelia took half a shaky step forward and fell, hard. On the asphalt. It was ugly.

After I checked for serious wounds and wiped tears (mostly mine) Adelia struggled upward. I helped her stand. She pushed her hair out of her face and nudged me aside.

"Okay, Mimi. Count."

What the hell? Hadn't we just gone through this?  

"Adelia," I said, a little exasperated, a lot scared. "You're gonna fall again."

"I know," she said. "But, I want to run."
17 Comments
Linda Roy link
3/13/2015 12:15:38 am

Beautiful.

Reply
Kathleen O'Donnell
3/13/2015 01:01:57 pm

Thank you, Linda. My grandkids are rock stars.

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Kayla Mead
3/13/2015 02:01:25 am

That's my baby. She's her mother strong and not afraid to keep trying...

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Kathleen O'Donnell
3/13/2015 01:02:21 pm

Yes, indeed my bb.

Reply
Marybeth Carty
3/13/2015 07:05:25 am

I wish I had an ounce of Adelia's super power...
Remarkable human.

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Kathleen O'Donnell
3/13/2015 01:02:48 pm

She's amazing. The bravest person I know.

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Wendy Oliver
3/14/2015 06:31:14 am

This was so moving. She ks such a brave little hero. Kathleen i still love your beautiful beautiful writing skills. Such a pleasure to read anything you do.

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Kathleen O'Donnell
3/15/2015 08:27:05 am

Awww...thank you, Wendy! I hope you keep reading. Yes, Adelia is da bomb. She's a lesson in humility every time I see her.

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Christine Carter link
3/15/2015 06:18:58 am

BeHOLD my heart. Wow. This got me. GOOD.

Oh Adelia... you inspire us all.

I can only hope to someday be as brave, and daring, and strong as you.

Reply
Kathleen O'Donnell
3/15/2015 09:03:35 am

She is amazing, truly. Never down or unhappy. Always a huge smile on her face. She's my hero. Thank you, Christine for reading. I so appreciate you.

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Marcia Shaw Wyatt link
3/16/2015 01:35:33 am

Beautiful, Kathleen! Adelia's desire to run and her bravery to keep trying is such a tremendous lesson for all of us! It certainly is to me! You're so right - if we all had the hearts of children, this world would be a much better, kinder place to live!

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Roshni link
3/19/2015 10:47:57 am

Oh Kathleen! !! Give her a big kiss on my behalf.

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Kathleen O'Donnell
3/29/2015 09:29:42 am

I will for sure, Roshni. She's something.

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Kerri link
3/27/2015 12:47:22 am

Wow, she wants to RUN and that is all and incredible. I don't know if you ever read Transcending CP but it is by a young woman with CP who is quite remarkable. She has a post about dancing that is incredible (hope this link works!) http://transcendingcp.blogspot.com/search/label/ballerina

Reply
Kathleen O'Donnell
3/29/2015 09:30:50 am

Awww...that was a tear jerker. Thanks so much for sharing. I will pass it on. Can't keep the spirit down.

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Becky Lee
12/14/2017 01:06:03 pm

Oh Kathy, I love how you capture her unshakable courage. I was praying for you all the other night and this came to me as I lay there and pictured her smiling face running🙏

She is a shooting star 🌟 shining brighter than the rest, as her journey is shorter She leaves behind her a trail of star dust sprinkled on the hearts and lives of so many, and it is in this star dust trail she will always live on!

Much Love,
Becky Lee

Reply
Kathleen
12/14/2017 01:17:04 pm

Thank you, Becky. What a lovely sentiment. She is a star and always will be. We're so grateful that gets recognized. Love to you.

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