he met a hero ... a real life hero

C met a hero tonight.

He has been reading a book with us entitled Up and Running, by Mark Patinkin. A true story, of a boy at 6 in 1997, who had bilateral below the knee amputations caused by bacterial meningitis. In a word, he has found him to be inspiring.

Incredibly so.

The front jacket of the book shows Andrew, the "hero" of the story, roller blading with two prosthetic legs holding a hockey stick. C literally grabbed my shirtail one day in the bookstore and said "mom! what is this book all about? we HAVE to get it .... check out that kid!" We did get it, and I have already read it and am now reading it to our squirt, along with him. I absolutely loved the book. I cried, I laughed, I mourned, I rejoiced .... it is truly a book I recommend.

He cannot get enough of this book. He states that Andrew is just so very cool because he didn't let losing his legs hold him back from anything. "He tries everything, and does everything that I do, mommy; I bet he'd be my friend if we played together. He looks like he's cool, and fun, and really good at sports too!" He wanted to know what it felt like, what his legs feel like now. If he'd get them back again? Ever? Does he miss them? Are his new legs stronger? Can I give him a hug tonight, mom? Do you think he'll like the gift I'm going to give him, mom?

I have been so moved by my kid's reaction to the book about a boy who overcame an unthinkable situation. A kid, at 6, had the world at his feet. And then, the world took his feet.

But he never skipped a beat. He got back up, and showed the world that feet are just a part of the puzzle.

C could not stop talking about this kid. We've known the launch signing was tonight for about a week, and he has been counting down the days to the meeting. How many more sleeps mom? About the chance to meet the "kid with the robot legs". About the idea of a kid playing ice hockey, and riding a bike, and rollerblading, and .. and ... he has no lower legs.

Incredible.

So, we met him. And the author. Also thoroughly moved by my kid's reaction to his book. I had emailed him and asked about any possibility of meeting he and Andrew some day to sign this cherished book C now keeps by his bed? He asked me to tell him about the kid that is reading the book with his mom & dad when we got there tonight at his signing. So we went, and I introduced C as the little guy that really digs this guy, Andrew. And we took a picture with Andrew, C beamed! And so did we. Then C gave him a puck from his room. A special puck that he had from a game he had played. He wanted Andrew to have it. From one hockey player to another .... "whaddya think mom, will he like that?" At dinner, I said to my husband how amazing it feels to be in a position to remember often how lucky we truly are. To have the chance to be thankful for the health we have.

To look at my kids and pause.

Precious gifts.