Hope Speaks

November 8, 2015

Written by Marykate O’Malley, mother of three wonderful children, Gladwyne PA

His first sentence was “I walk,” demanding to be placed down so he could cross a narrow drawbridge in Woods Hole, Cape Cod. With dignity, a pied, rather than being carried on Mommy’s hip. Only 12 months, his first sentence, what was I to do. I placed him down, took his hand, and we crossed that bridge – water left, cars right, and water peeking through wood slabs below our feet.

“Mom why are you walking so slow?!” Hope called over his shoulder, looking back at me with a wide grin. Hope hadn’t walked for 3 days and was now speed walking down a hospital corridor, 2 physical therapists trailing behind him.

Hope said “Mom, when I am back at school can I be steady Q at recess?” And when Mom couldn’t speak, because she was stunned thinking – you are just able to bear weight, Hope sized up the situation and said, “Mom, no, I mean I just stand there and throw the football”. Then Hope shook her head and laughed.

Hope said, “look I can do jumping jacks” and performed for a crowd of PT professionals and a nurse, who were hoping that he could simply bear weight.

Hope danced on the way to the bathroom.

Hope made a picture for the wonderful doctor who took care of him that said “Thank you for making me feel better.”

Hope said, “you can do this! And you’ve got this! And you can see the finish line and are almost there Buddy!”

Hope said, “I am so proud of you. And you must be very proud of yourself”.

Hope said please and thank you even when he was in pain.

Hope said, “can I can walk down to my MRI?”

And Hope said, “I will pray. And I will pray, and you are in my prayers, and I am praying for you all. And you are remembered in my prayers”

And then Hope said, “you can go home.”