One of the great challenges of having four children is being able to find the time to adequately spend with each one of them on an individual basis. It is easier with my son Fernando, as he is interested in the things that interest me, but it's sometimes more challenging to find those things to do with my older two daughters.
Rebekah is my second daughter, she is 11 years old. Those who know Rebekah know what a unique child she is. She has some physical and mental challenges in her life, but she has so much spirit. She has a zest for life, always asking questions. She loves to play, and loves to pretend, but is short on patience. As her mental and academic abilities have lagged behind her physical age, she has started to become frustrated at times with not being able to do what other kids can do, such as read. She can also be very fearful at times, as she can be clumsy. Just yesterday, she fell walking down the hill at Silver Dollar City. I saw it coming, but was powerless to stop it.
As a result, she many times is afraid to try things she doesn't fully understand. After a day of shopping, she asked me if we could go to Silver Dollar City at 7 PM. It closed at 9. No one else wanted to go, so I saw the opportunity to spend some time with Rebekah. We jumped into the car and made the 2 minute drive to Silver Dollar City, in the very cold weather.
We watched the Christmas parade, walked through the shops, rode the rides in kiddy land, and had a fun time. Rebekah said, this is fun, because it's just me and daddy, nobody else. After riding one of the rides in kiddy land, I realized one of my brand new running gloves was missing. I was devestated, as I had just bought them that afternoon and had not even run in them yet. I retraced my steps, and could not find them anywhere. Rebekah knew they were missing, but was just happy to be there.
Finally, I decided it wasn't important, the glove that is. I will go get another pair tomorrow, because tonight was something special. I love roller coasters, and that's something I share with my oldest daughter, but not with Rebekah. So, I suggested to Rebekah we ride Thunderation. It's the smallest roller coaster of the three at Silver Dollar City, but a major lesson in courage for my young Rebekah. We walked through the line, and Rebekah asked every question in the world about it there was. Did it go fast. Did it go down. Was there tracks. Did it have trains. Did it go down fast. Did it turn. What color was it. Will you hold on to me. Was it a train. Did it go down a hill. Fortunately, the line was short and we walked right onto the train.
The car rolled right into the first turn, and Rebekah held on for dear life. She didn't breath during the first three turns, then it stopped to go up the lift chain, and she took a breath. She still wasn't sure. She asked if it was going to go down. Just a little bit I said. It did, and then it was over. Rebekah turned and smiled at me and said, I liked Thunderation. Was that a roller coaster? I said, yes it was. She said I loved it. I asked do you want to go again. She said no. And it was over!
We walked to the exit and bought a giant chocolate chip cookie and then came back to the condo. Emilie could tell I was saddened about losing my glove (They were not cheap), but who could be down when Rebekah was so excited about going on a roller coaster. She said down with 100's of barbie dolls and little people she takes everywhere, and of course they went on a roller coaster with their daddy's. What could be better?
Week 3 of my marathon training is in the books. I completed a 4 mile run this morning, my 4th run of the week, 17 miles run for the week, 48 miles run so far. I took it easy on myself and ran on the flat portion of the trail. I stopped and bought some new shoes after the run, and the man at the store wondered how I had been running on those shoes. Hopefully that will eliminate the shin splints.
