Touch my heart

This past fall, we began coaching a Special Olympics team.  I've shared with you some of the funnies and some of the things that have touched my heart.  I can't believe we did this - but last night was the team pizza party - and Marty and I TOTALLY forgot about it and never showed up.  There are 2 other coaches thankfully but I just can't believe we did this.

Special Olympics has lead me to do something else new in my life and that was to switch from being a general ed substitute to a special ed substitute.  I've been very busy, getting several calls a day which is a good, good thing.  Today I woke up sick and ended up at the Dr. - I have strep throat so I'll be off for the rest of this week.

Anyway - teaching in a special education classroom is an entirely different animal than teaching in the regular ed classroom. I'm not going to share with you names here, nor districts, nor schools, nor any identifying information as that would totally break all confidentiality laws as well as just being stupid on my part.

It requires patience.  A lot of patience.  You will be argued with, you will most likely get hit to some degree at some point, your hair will be pulled, you will be defied, screamed at.  This observation has been made in a week from what I've already witnessed and from stories other teachers have shared with me.  You must keep in mind these children can not help it - and that's obvious the moment you meet them.  It's as if some of them are locked somewhere far away in their minds and reality is just not the place they want to be.

It's sad.  Incredibly sad.  In all honesty - I have left the building crying every single day this past week.  Asking God why.  Why do children have to suffer?  I have prayed over every one of them silently, asking for complete healing and for strength on their journey.  I have prayed for their parents because I can not imagine how difficult it must be for them - in so many ways.  It must be exhausted - physically, emotionally.

There is so much to learn and the teachers are overwhelmed. So many needs to be meet.  One of the classrooms I was in had 13, another 9 - 3 teachers in each of the classrooms.  You would think that would be enough,  Reality is, it doesn't touch the surface.  Not even close.  Their learning issues vary greatly - some with very minor issues, some unable to communicate - as I said - locked away somewhere in their own minds.  One of the young people I met this past week has just begun to communicate.  He's 10 years old.

Every day when I get in the car and drive home, crying - I think to myself  "you don't have to do this."  But, I do.  I do because I believe in keeping things real.  I believe in reaching where it hurts.  I believe putting ourselves in uncomfortable and difficult situations shows us the heart of God.  I'm no one special - trust me - but I believe doing things like this is what God would do.  I want to touch the world the way He does - and in the process, keep my heart broken for this world.  If it's hard - that's good.  In the hard places, we see the greatest moves of God.

Touch my heart oh God so I can touch others for You.

Give Thanks

Our Special Olympics season is almost over.  It has been a joy.  I will miss the players and look forward to next fall.  I fulfilled a goal I had on my bucket list - something to do before you "kick the bucket".  I have learned much.  I have received more hugs than I have given.  I came to teach - but instead, I was taught.  I came to give joy and instead, was filled to overflowing.  It has been a great ride and I am very thankful this opportunity arose. 

I received a Thank You from one of the players that I would like to share with you.  It was in regards to the walk-a-thon we did.  Marty and I stuck with 2 players who maybe took a little longer than others.  This thank you was from one of them.  It came on a postcard with a team picture.  His Mom helped him write the thank you. Here's what it said:

Hello Friends and Family,
I could not have asked for a perfect day.  The weather was beautiful.  I walked 2 miles with some of my fellow athletes and coaches.  We had a great time!  Music, car show, food and good friends.
Thank you so much for supporting me in my fundraising efforts. (I'm pretty sure this part was written by Mom!).  Our goal of 5,000 was reached.  The athletes will be sporting new uniforms and participating in more tournaments.
I am blessed to have such great friends, family and a supporting community.
Thank You,
(name withheld)

It was a beautiful day.  We enjoyed walking with this player.  I was amazed at how well they did.  One of our players sprinted an entire 5 miles.  Another player walked 5 miles.  All players walked at least 2.5 miles.  And they say kids with downs can't do anything.  I disagree.  Anyone - can do anything - they set their minds to.  These players will teach you that.  If ever you doubt - spend some time with Special Olympics kids.  They will teach you that with hard work and desire - nothing is impossible.  They do it with a smile on their face, a kindness you can't not begin to understand until you work with them, and heart that most of us don't have.

So today, the thank you really goes to our players.  Tonight is our last official game before State Finals.  It has been a terrific ride.  Thank you for accepting us, for allowing us to teach you - and for teaching us along the way.  We love you guys :)

Luke 6:38 and Special Olympics

Check out this verse:

Luke 6:38
Give, and you will receive.  Your gift will return to you in full - pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap.  The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

Love this one!

I'm not sure if this verse is supposed to be talking about money.  Maybe it is - I would have to check into it.  However, I think it applies to other areas of life even more.

We coach a Special Olympics Soccer team which most of you know if you read regularly.  Last night - I was I tired.  I had taught for 7 straight hours, my throat hurt, my feet hurt, and talking was a struggle.  I got out of work at 3:20, got home and ran out immediately to go to practice.  Truthfully - I didn't want to go.  I wanted to climb into bed and go to sleep!  But - duty called - and so we went to practice.

Coaching Special Olympics is by far one of the most rewarding things I have ever done in life.  I can't tell you how awesome it is.  Had I known it was this wonderful years ago - I would not have spent so many years (not counting a few groups of beautiful young women that I still am in contact with whom I love!) coaching at the high school and travel level.  The politics are just gone and I actually get to do what I LOVE to do - work with amazing people and teach them a sport I love.  So nice!!

This verse - applies to Special Olympics.

Give - give of your time, your talents, your heart.  Give out of compassion.  You will receive.  Your gift will return to you in full - and then some!  Coaching Special Olympics is just plain SPECIAL!  Every day I go, intending to "impart" my "knowledge" - and always -without fail - by the end of the practice or game - everything I want to give to them is handed right back at me - in more quantity than I can even contain.  I don't know if that makes sense - but just like the verse says - it's poured into your lap.  Poured!  I just love these "kids".

It is true.  It is better to give than to receive - but it is also incredible to see that when you do give - you receive back oh so much more.  Blessings are just like that.

What you are teaching me

Recently, Marty, Jon and I started coaching a Special Olympics soccer team.  It was an unexpected opportunity and fulfilled one of my goals for last year.  Long story as to how we got here - but in 2 games and 2 practices, it has been one rewarding experience.

We lost 2 games tonight - the first one 2-0 in a penalty shoot out - the second 1-0 in a regular game.  It was, by far, the happiest losses in my life as a coach.  I'll tell you what - work with a team of Special Olympics "kids" and suddenly - everything gets put into perspective.

The youngest kid on our team is 18 and the oldest somewhere in his 50's.  It's a mix of guys and girls with various abilities and various disabilities.  Despite their "disabilities" - they've got some things right.  Here's a few things they have taught me.

Never take life too seriously.  There is always a reason to smile.

Sometimes trying hard and doing your best - is actually good enough.

There is nothing a little kindness can't solve.  

It's not all about winning - it's all about how you get to the end of the game.

People on a special olympics team are capable of far more than most of us give them credit for.

Being a good helper is very important.

A smile and a hug can make anything better.

There are more lessons to come - of this I am sure.  We laugh every time we are with them.  They are funny, sensitive, kind, loving, capable, and determined.

Let me share a couple of funnies with you.  Last week one of them asked me if I had a beer for him 'cause he was thirsty.   This young man has a crazy sense of humor.  It's dry and sarcastic - but he continually keeps us in stitches.  Today he slapped me on the back so hard I think he left a mark - all in good fun and while telling me "good job coach!"  Today at the game, his stomach was bothering him and I said "what's up?" and he said "my stomach hurts."  I said "drink some water" and he said "I did, and some whiskey - but that was before the game."  I said "well, maybe that's your problem then!"  We laughed and I still don't know if he's serious about all his alcohol talk!

We have another kid on the team that cracks me up.  He's a HUGE kid.  Bigger than any of us (there are like 6 coaches including Jon, Marty and I).  Today I was so proud of him.  Last week at practice we worked specifically on passing with the inside of your foot.  Today he proudly and loudly announced when he came off the field that he did everything we practiced last week - and then went on to list every single thing we had worked on.  At half time he laid on the field next to me and I said "what's wrong?" and he said "that's it! This has to STOP!  I've had ENOUGH!  You tell me when I can quit.  5 more days - 5 more x's on my calendar and I'm QUITTING!"  I said "but you can't quit - your team needs you" and he said "well, I'm going into retirement then."  Lol!!

So much fun!  We have another young lady who is injured and LOVES to help.  She tells me repeatidly all the things she does to help the team.  I love her.  She is sweet tempered and really does love to help.  I told her next practice I would have a special job for her because she can't play and wants to feel useful.  Now I have to figure out what that will be!!

Another young lady, a friend of one of the kids, came out last week to one of the practices to cheer her friend (on our team) on.  She went to do a funky handshake with Marty and as he went to slap her hand (part of the handshake), she moved her hand away from him real quick and sly and ran it through her hair - intentionally - so he would slap the air - then laughed.  Then she proceeded to high five me with both hands 'cause girls have to stick together :)  I wish she was on our team 'cause I love her sense of humor.  She's quick witted despite her down syndrome.

There are more stories to come, I'm sure.  I apologize for the length of this post.  These kids are special and I really enjoy them.  I didn't want to go tonight as I had been sick all day - but by the time the games were over - I was so happy I did.