Remarkable

Sometimes what's even more inspirational than seeing someone reach great heights, is witnessing someone get up and keep going in spite of hardship.  I was reminded of this truth yesterday when I took my daughter Madison in to get evaluated for learning disabilities.  Her struggles to learn have been pervasive and consistent throughout her whole life.  We have spent countless hours with her for many years, trying to help her learn, many times there has been extreme frustration and tears.  We hesitated getting her tested over the years because we decided that it was best to not place so much emphasis on grades and labeling her and thought that this might call even more attention to her inabilities instead of focusing on her wonderful abilities.  But at her recent request, we decided to go ahead with testing.  The conversation between the psychologist and Madison went something like this:

Doctor:  "It must be really frustrating to put in so much effort and continually not do well on tests.  Do you ever wake up and dread school?"

Madison:  "Sometimes I'm so excited to go to school because of my friends that I wake up extra early!"

Doctor:  "Do you ever feel like giving up when things are so hard for you at school?"

Madison:  "No, I've never thought about giving up."

Doctor:  "How would you rate your happiness with your life?"

Madison:  "A perfect 10."

At this point, the doctor looks over at me and says, "You do realize how remarkable your daughter is, right?  You almost never see a child with learning disabilities like she has that remains happy, hopeful, and well adjusted."

I had to really get ahold of myself in an effort not to tear up at that point.  Madison has watched her older brother get awards and accolades and straight A's her whole life and somehow, she is proud of him and doesn't ever let it get her down.  She has watched her sister skip a grade and her younger brother easily glide through school with minimal effort.  For as proud of Christian as I am for all of his incredibly hard work day in and day out to achieve great things academically, I am equally proud of Madison for her perseverance and positive disposition in the face of difficult obstacles.  And I am reminded once again why I love being a mother so much:  They teach me more than I could ever hope to teach them.  I am so inspired by them.  Even in their imperfections, they are perfect to me.