Growing Pains and Victory


When I think back to where he was just one year ago, and even further back to two years ago, today’s races were made even sweeter. The last years have been a journey for our son. He was so small and faced so many challenges. Two knee surgeries, a broken scapula, hospitalization for the onset of asthma, and undiagnosed ADHD, among so many more. He looked around at friends who grew bigger than him so early, and they ran so much faster than him, and they were getting it done in the classroom, and they weren’t sidelined by constant injury…and, well, he only got a glimpse of the glory as it was being shone on those boys.

Then today’s track meet. At 5’11 and actually taller now than most of the kids that used to tower over him, he has also grown stronger and faster than he even could have dreamed just two years ago. To see him running the 100m, neck and neck, with one of the fastest kids since the seventh grade…wow. To see him pulling way out in front of every other hurdler in the 110m, to see him being invited to be one of the members of the starting relay team…these are the moments that he has imagined, worked toward, and suffered growing pains for.

The tattoo he recently got sent the biggest message of all though, so beautifully putting the exclamation point on the end of today’s sentence:

I FEAR ONLY GOD

Great job today, Boo! Mama and Daddy are so proud of you.

About thisnest

The Sparrows are happily married, and the parents of five children. Donna and her husband Antonio are college sweethearts who also raised his seven siblings, many with special needs, for nearly two decades. Along the way they have navigated the ups and downs of being a blended, black, white, and brown family. Donna celebrates each day of blessings and embraces her family’s “interraciality” through poetry, anecdotes, and glimpses into her beautifully chaotic life on her blog at www.ThisNest.com
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3 Responses to Growing Pains and Victory

  1. Kfisher says:

    I love how much he has grown. We wish him all the best.

  2. Marilyn Roady says:

    We are so proud of him, too. We love him so much. He looks amazing and strong, and he is ready for a great year in front of him. Go Boo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Love,
    Grandma and Grandpa

  3. star says:

    Awwww boo I’m sooo proud of u great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂

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