Christopher got to meet Noelle Pikus Pace tonight as well. She is so sweet!
Some of you may have the mistaken impression that Christopher is perfect. Like our other kids, he does have a mischievous streak. Tonight, Christopher grabbed the gold fish off the table, and shook them until he opened the top and spilled the tub of crackers on the floor. As you can see, he was quite pleased with his handi-work. At least it wasn't the real gold fish in the aquarium--he likes to knock on her glass and shake her a little too. Mike Alisa, BYU's star running back, and some of his other teammates, hung out with Christopher and the kids at the Walk With Angels event yesterday. It was a blast. Thanks Mike and friends! Each year, the United Angels Foundation, presents the "Walk With Angels." UAF provides services to children and families with special needs. The "Walk" is a fundraiser and an opportunity for families to recreate together. Mike Alisa and a group of BYU football players joined us. Cosmo, BYU's mascot and Swoop from the UofU also worked together to bring joy to all the kids. Rachel Coleman from PBS's "Signing Time" performed. There were bounce houses "sumo wrestling" a video game truck, lots of food, superheroes, and Disney Princesses. What a great day. Thanks to all who participated. If you would like to donate to this fantastic organization, go to UnitedAngelsFoundation.org. Many have described a natural high that comes from running. I believe the runner's exhilaration stems not from winning a race, but from the opportunity to move from one place to another as fast as a person can. The speed of Christopher's pace will not qualify him for the Boston Marathon, but his joy from the run surely meets or exceeds that of the winner of any race. Indeed, Christopher's act of running is a manifestation of winning the race of life and overcoming the obstacles placed before him. On Saturday, May 17, 2014, Christopher's grandma came for a visit, and she brought a walker used by Christopher's great grandma. Within seconds of standing up to the walker, Christopher experienced the runner's high, and was off. This was the first time that he had truly "run" on his own. After his run, he stopped by the park for a relaxing swing. We hope that you will feel of Christopher's joy for life and his ability to enjoy his to the fullest in this short clip, and perhaps gain increased motivation to keep your "perspectometer" positive, peaceful, and happy. I've known for many years that smiles are extremely contagious. Yesterday, as my kids and I rode the carousel at the South Town Mall, my belief was proven again. As we went round and round and up and down on metal horses, Christopher was smiling and laughing in his own infectious way. Many people were standing and sitting near by. I began to hear people say "look how much fun that little boy is having" and "he sure likes that," etc. Mom's pointed Christopher out to their kids--not because of his disabilities, but because of his ABILITY to be so contagiously happy on a free carousel ride. The bad thing about the smile epidemic is that it's sudden onset can be quickly eliminated byworldly notions of political correctness that teach us to be offended easily, anger quickly, and criticize harshly. We will all experience more joy and happiness in life by allowing the exhilaration of simple pleasures to last and be renewed time and time again without letting the world steal our treasure. Christopher is a perfect example of this happiness principle. Though he is physically limited, he is spiritually gifted. Zion's National Park has so many beautiful things to see that are accessible in a wheelchair. The river walk was awesome. We saw deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, and of course breath taking red rock towers. Yesterday, Christopher's cousin Nicholas took him adventuring on his riding law mower. Whether he is on a roller coaster at Disneyland, or a mower in the backyard, Christopher loves his life! Christopher and I, accompanied by our family, had the wonderful opportunity to speak at the Mapleton Youth Conference tonight. Our message is that everyone of us can be happier by making some simple choices in our lives--the most simple of which is to smile. If you force yourself to smile, before long, it will stay naturally. Naaman, the great Syrian warrior in the old testament, initially refused to be healed of leprosy because of the simpleness of the method proclaimed by the prophet Elisha. Do we cheat ourselves of minutes, hours, days, or months of happiness by refusing to exercise simple strategies to live happier? Christopher, who has so little of what many in the world claim is necessary for happiness, is almost always happy. We were enriched by the spirit of the Mapleton youth, and hope one or more of them came away from our presentation with an idea or two to experience a greater measure of happiness in their lives. Our family went ATV'ing with my parents in Moab over the weekend. Christopher chose to ride with Grandpa in the Rhino. We found some awesome trails. You can hear his excitement and see him touch the canyon wall in this video clip. |