Life is a continual challenge. There are ups and downs...highs and lows...and bumps in the road.
A couple of Friday's ago, Parker was met with a bump in the road. He was at tennis practice and through a freak accident, ended up rolling his left ankle, falling and catching himself with his right hand. The coach gave me a call and there was a sound of concern in his voice. I left work and went and picked him up and headed to Instacare.
Good news - no broken bones - bad news - something could be wrong with his hand.
Major bad news - it would probably mean Parker not competing in the upcoming region and state tennis meets. Something he had worked for all year! Something he was so excited about!
Ice, ibuprophen, taking it easy was how the weekend was spent. A blessing was given - and he tried to play on Tuesday. Again a call from the coach, he was going to pull Parker from the match. He said Parker is a gutsy kid, but he could see there was a lot of pain.
On Friday, we went to see a hand orthopedic specialist. The news was that no broken bones - however, there was a severe sprain between two small bones in his hand. The only way to let it heal was complete immobilization - aka a cast...for up to 8 weeks. Another bump in the road.
Parker's passion is fastpitch softball. He has been on the radar of the US 19-under national team for the last two years - and has attended the last two winter pitching clinics in Chula Vista. The summer camp is July 8th in Michigan - he is a pitcher - and he uses his right hand! Major bump in the road!!!!!
When making the decision of whether to cast or not, the consequences of chronic hand pain and early onset of arthritis, it seemed like a no brainer. The possibility of missing the summer camp in Michigan, made the decision difficult. In the end, the main concern is fixing his hand.
In the eternal perspective of life, this is just a bump in the road. I doubt we will ever know the reason for the injury. I've always said that trials in life are to help build character. I know that we aren't given anything that we can't handle. I know this will make Parker a stronger person. I know things will be all right.
I know he will get over this little "bump in the road"!!!!
