By Krystina | #Wheelstrong

On days like today, I wake up blank.
Not sad. Not happy.
Just a full spectrum of emotions all tangled together.

Why?

Because I woke up after only an hour of sleep…. kept up by spasms and pain radiating through my legs. Still exhausted, still aching… I faintly hear my son getting ready for camp.

Then, like a ray of light, he peeks through the door with that big, beautiful smile.

“Can I ride my bike after I get home, Momma?”

In that moment, I’m reminded:
gratitude lives in the simple things.
For the past two years, since moving into this apartment, I’ve been trying to teach my son how to ride a bike. Training wheels on. Training wheels off. Repeat.
I asked his father to help…. many times.
But every request was met with a “no”, or an excuse.

It broke my heart.
Because no matter my injury, I was determined to give my son a normal, joyful childhood.
Bike rides included.

And then one day… it just happened.
Not with me.
Not with his father.
But with a six-year-old girl and a little spark of magic.

My independent worker, Aisha, brought my kids to the lake and later to her home.
She knew I couldn’t go with them, and I’ll always be grateful for that gesture.

While they were there, Aisha’s daughter stepped in….tiny but mighty….and said,

“Watch. I’ll have him riding without training wheels by the end of the day.”

And sure enough…

A few hours later, I got a text:
a photo and video of my son riding his bike with no training wheels.

Just like that.

I stared at that screen and cried.
Not out of sadness…. but pure gratitude.

Later that night, Travis called me before bed. I could feel the joy radiating through the phone.

“Mama, are you proud of me?”

“Absolutely, darling. More than you know.”

Moments like these…
They make every ounce of pain worth it.

So today, we’re going to have an adventure.
Because even if my body hurts, my heart is full.

Enjoy the little moments with your family while you can….
Because you never know how long you have to create these memories
with the people you love most