I am typically not the optimist. I tend to see the worst before I see the best. It’s definitely not the trait I’m most proud of, especially in light of parenting. Josephine is my 5th grader, and to see her now, you’d see her giggling with her friends in the hallways, dressing up her cat at home, making mug brownies on a Friday night, and very occasionally cleaning her room. I have memories of a very small underweight baby Josie who was very meek, mild and at times even listless. A series of tests as part of a “failure to thrive” diagnosis showed that Josie had a severe kidney issue, indicating her kidneys were permanently scarred and function only at 60% and 40% capacity. She eventually needed surgery, days after her second birthday, landing her a 2-week stay at the Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY.
Praise God, Josie’s issues are no more, and she quickly returned to life as an active toddler. Her personality, however, was still a bit reserved as I think she had so much to overcome from the constant infections she endured since birth. Josie was very slow to talk and had speech therapy for a year to bring out simple words like “red” and “bed.” Finally, she spoke. Clearly. And it turns out she had a lot to say.
Josie is part of an active family and has participated in various team sports through the community. This year, her 5th-grade year, she was excited to join the Middle School Cross Country team at ICS. My pessimistic mind admittedly was often more focused on my 7th grader and her efforts as I viewed the 5th graders participating more for the experience than actual competition. But as the season wore on, Josie stepped it up. She showed courage at each race, putting in her best and ending red-faced. The regional race determined who would go to the state meet. Josie’s time qualified her to represent her team at the state level. Her reaction to this accomplishment made my mom's heart soar. She was very meek and didn’t want a big deal made of it. She wanted to remind others that it is a team sport. Her humility almost melded into embarrassment when talking about it with peers, teachers, and others.
We showed up at the state meet where the competition was bigger in numbers and in literal size. I could sense Josie’s trepidation. She was frolicking with the team waiting for the race to start, but there was definitely some reservation and thought as she prepped to run her heart out. I couldn’t help but reflect back to her earlier seasons of childhood and to think of my timid Josie now out there bravely giving everything she had to a brand new sport. The team ended up taking first place in the state. I had two daughters on that winning team, and as they were accepting their trophy, I looked at my friend and fellow cross country mom, Becky Schumacher, and felt a shared unspoken wave of gratitude and pride. I’ll let my kids sit in humility over their accomplishments. But as their mom, for this season, I’m going to be optimistic and proud. Not just for their academic or athletic achievements, but for all the times they choose courage in the face of the unknown, courage to compete against older kids, courage to stand up for what is right and courage to run the race that is set for them. I don’t typically love surprises, but I loved it when Josie surprised me this past cross country season with an attitude full of bravery and courage.
By Jennifer Adema, ICS Mom, and ICS Admissions Coordinator