The Resilience of Children

Children tend to heal faster than adults. It seems a superpower they possess. I am sure there are many physical reasons for this to be true. However, I believe what really helps them to bounce back quickly, is their ability to live for the moment; because they are small, and unaware of the future, they live for the now. If they feel good then they run, or jump, or dance. If they feel bad then they stop, rest and relax. Children seem to listen to their bodies a little better than grown-ups do; they also seem to have a natural zest for life. Perhaps if we grown-ups could infuse a little of that zest into our souls, we would heal faster too. 

Also, because children are young, they do not know that the pain they feel today might still hurt tomorrow. They take it as it comes, without knowing if they will be hurt or sick for days, weeks, or months -- they just don't know. Because they don't know what tomorrow will bring, they are more inclined to live for today. They do not worry as much as we adults do. We think we can predict the future, and what it might hold. But really, we are just as unaware as the little children are. We can worry our todays away with fear of the unknown; or we can live for the day, simply because we are alive today. 

Perhaps we adults can learn a little something from little children? 

Live for today!!! 

(Prepare for the future, obviously, but make this day count! Or what good is the future?) 

This was Henry right after his kidney surgery. It was so sad, and I was worried if he was ever going to be himself again. He was in so much pain, and in need of constant medical attention. He did not want to leave his bed, because he hurt so badly. He knew he should just stay down, and be still. But it only took a few days before he was up again, moving very slowly -- he was eager to move and play once he could. There was a play area with toys, and he really wanted to play with the trucks.  I would hold his hand as he would slowly waddle down the halls of the hospital. Henry never moves slowly, so it was a new experience for him, and me. He took one slow step at a time, he played for awhile with some trucks, but then he was ready to go back and rest again. His body needed to rest and heal, so he let it. But he still had the desire to play and be alive. 

 So sad. Poor little guy.

Fast forward about a week... 

This is Henry jumping on the trampoline with full gusto. After a week of rest and recovery, and some clogged internal plumbing issues (which are now working beautifully), he was up and running again, just like normal.  You would never know this little guy just had his insides operated on, with a large incision on his lower tummy. He has been a little jumping bean, full of life and fire. 

He is still silly...

 

And Happy... 

And full of spunk... 

And energy...

And smiles...

And laughing...

And cuteness...

 And he is Superman!

He is full of life and energy; however, Henry knows when he is through, and it's time to rest.

Even Superman needs to stop and suck his thumb sometimes...

Whether you are whole, or healing today -- live for it! 

Live like a child. Live for today!