Wednesday, March 16, 2011

I'm still learning...

Yesterday Chip took Wyndham to get her haircut. She hasn't had it cut in over a year and her hair is really thick and basically has been pulled back in a ponytail for the past several months now. Because of the length of her hair she was able to donate it to "Locks of Love". She seems to understand that she did a good thing and you can see by her smile that she is happy with her new hairstyle. I think it feels lighter and maybe has helped to lift her spirits a bit too.
What I learn from Wyndham over and over again is that disabilities don't have to define a person. She has been proof of that too many times to count in the past 10 years. As I think back through all of the challenges she has had to overcome and still faces, it's humbling. It's humbling because while she does have sad and down times she still manages to bring smiles to those of us who spend our lives with her and she even helps others too!
Too often I, and so many others, can make our problems bigger and make them everyone else's problems too, just by holding onto the hurt. Wyndham is teaching me that you need to just let it go. The way to freedom from whatever one's disability- whether it's physical or mental or any kind of disability- is that you don't need to let it hold you back. She certainly doesn't like not being able to walk or talk, but those things don't change her heart. She has a way of loving and giving and making life brighter for people around her in spite of all the things that make it tough for her to do so.
I'm learning lessons from her that aren't taught in life- but lived in life. She makes me want to be better. She makes my life better just by being in it. And that's an amazing thing for anyone to do. I hope her life in some way challenges you too. Or simply adds a smile to your day. That's what she would want to share with you if she could. Here's to brightening the world today in some way today- no matter how big or small it may be!

12 comments:

Michelle said...

I'm so glad you share her life with us! She really is amazing. I think her new haircut is adorable and that is so so cool she could donate her hair! Such a sweet girl!

Deb said...

Thanks for putting things in perspective for me today! It is wonderful that she could donate her hair. She is a beautiful little girl...inside and out!

Patricia said...

Love Wyndham's new haircut ~ she's simply beautiful! Blessings to all of you!

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing such insight with us today!!! I needed to hear it today!
Wyndham's new hair style is adorable on her. :) She is such a brave little girl!!! Please give her a hug for me!!!!!!
Blessings to y'all.

sarah, rsm said...

darling haircut for a darling young girl :)

MelanieL said...

I love her new haircut...so fresh and new for spring!

babyrndeb said...

love the new hair cut!! She looks so cute :)
My daughter donated hers with her last big cut also.

Regina said...

"That's what she would want to share with you if she could.".... but she CAN - because she has a great Mom like you!!! Lovely post!

Adrienne said...

3/18: Happy Birthday, Teagan! I pray for you, Jody, and your beautiful family, as you celebrate the life of your sweet girl today! Love to you all! Spring is around the corner! Woo hoo! xoxox

LucieP said...

aww great job Wyndham! :) It looks really good!
Its amazing how much our babes teach us about life and ourselves!!

BT Laurie said...

Thank your for sharing your life Jody! This post about Wyndham and your later post about Teagan are precious reminders that often our children are God's greatest tools to shape our character.

JP said...

Oh, I love her haircut and her beautiful smile!