Snow.
It reminds me One Simple Truth:
It makes kids insane.
I remember playing outside for what seemed like hours as a little kid in the snow, and yet now as an adult….here I am taking pictures of my kids playing in the snow through the sliding glass door. From the warmth of the kitchen.
Yeah. I’m a total wimp.
(Yes, our Christmas tree is still out on the back porch. I know. I know.)
(P.S. Sand toys make awesome Snow Toys.)
For Vi, a Day in the Snow is a big deal. She has told us a lot of stories about her life in Ukraine, many of them follow the same theme:
She was left out. Left, to sit and watch.
She was left out. Left, to sit and watch.
Just yesterday she said
“Remember Mama, when you came to Ukraine, and I went to the slide and I shouted to everyone “HEY YOU! LOOK AT ME! WATCH ME SLIDE!!!” I liked that day! Those Nannies thought I can’t slide, they think I’m not brave and strong. They say “You can’t do that, you walk toe foot, you just sit down, NOW!” Mama says I AM brave, I AM strong. I can do so many things!”
“Remember Mama, when you came to Ukraine, and I went to the slide and I shouted to everyone “HEY YOU! LOOK AT ME! WATCH ME SLIDE!!!” I liked that day! Those Nannies thought I can’t slide, they think I’m not brave and strong. They say “You can’t do that, you walk toe foot, you just sit down, NOW!” Mama says I AM brave, I AM strong. I can do so many things!”
Of course when we were in Ukraine, I didn’t understand enough Russian and foolishly thought she was excitedly showing off her new Mama. It turns out, she was showing them “Look! See Me. I CAN DO THIS.” Six years old….and she had never been allowed to go down the slide.
Yesterday as I watched them play in the snow, I recalled those few mornings in Ukraine when we were allowed to go outside. I recalled all the other children, bundled up in coats and hats and scarves, being led around the snow-covered playground. Walking round and round the playground on the small sidewalks, staring longingly at the snow. Reprimanded, harshly, if they even stepped off the path a tiny bit.
A child who had slipped, yanked up by just his scarf. The tightening cloth causing his eyes to well with tears. Fingers pointed in his face, scolding.
The other kids might have been allowed to go down the slides in nice weather…but None of them were allowed to play in the snow.
How it must have looked to them, to see this “Crazy American Mama”, brushing off the snow covered slides with a gloved hand, cheering and encouraging a little girl who had never been allowed such a simple childhood joy not only to give the slide a try but to Land In The Snow.
Vi screaming at the top of her lungs “WATCH ME!!! WATCH ME!!! I CAN!”
They must have been appalled, those nannies.
It makes me smile, to think of her pure joy in contrast.
I don’t know if the excitement will ever fade for her.
I hope it doesn’t.
Every kid deserves to play in the snow.
What a sweet and wonderful story! It really is moments like this that make life special.
Have a wonderful day.
So heartbreaking. Pryce told me he did not play in the snow and I was like what? They get tons of snow there. I now understand and it makes me so sad. Happy for Vi but sad for the others.
Tears here…. “WATCH ME!!! WATCH ME!!! I CAN!” That’s amazing.
Fellow CP patient (although mine is mild), I remember sitting on the sidelines and being told “You can’t” by well-meaning teachers and kids – while hearing “You CAN” from parents and doctors.
All I can say is Thank You. Thank you for giving precious Vi a chance to succeed and grow.
That is a great idea to use sand toys as snow toys!
Please give a warning; Post will cause tears to flow. Mine did. Such a story. Sweet sweet Vi. Such a sweet revenge for her, to not only show the others that she could play on the slide, but to do what the others didn’t get to do, play in the snow! And now she’ll get to play as mush as she wants. Beautiful!
oh my goodness the memories come flooding back, i remember playing with her in the snow in the Ukraine and the other children crying watching! xxxx
brought tears to my eyes. Such simple little things we take for granted.
So glad Vi knows how strong and brave she is and has a lifetime of happiness to show the world what she can do!
I feel like I am bawling every time I come to your blog. Tears of joy of course. And maybe a little bit of sadness for what Vi and so many kids had (have) to go through.
She must feel like she has been let out of a cage. A free bird, at last.
Yes, every kid deserves to play in the snow. I will have to remember about the sand toys when I visit with my grandchildren. Our grandaughter and grandson love the snow and being outdoors. So very glad that Vi is learning all the things she CAN do! I am so happy that she has been given a second chance to live life fully with a family and be loved and know she is a special, smart, talented, beautiful, created and loved by her Heavenly Father God.
Jacquelene L.
Canada