The day finally arrived. He left school early. His classmates were at the window, waving and cheering him on. He and his parents then took the train to get to the arena.
There were thousands of people there. From the bleachers, he watched his first professional game. Then it was time. He left his parents for the locker room to put on his gear.
When he skated onto the ice, his name flashed on the screen for everyone to see. The crowd cheered.
And he played.
When it was over, he went back to the locker room to remove his gear, then ran to the stands into the arms of his mother. He did it! And he was so very proud. He stayed in her lap and hugged and hugged and kept hugging her. He was so relieved, so happy, so excited.
"Remember when you were learning to skate?" she said. "And you kept falling, and how discouraged you felt? You kept going. Look how far you've come! You are skating in the arena of a multi-million dollar franchise!"
I keep thinking about our young grandson in his mother's lap. It leads me to reflect on my life, and how my times I've fallen and become discouraged, sometimes thinking, "How can I do this? How can I keep going on?" And somehow the grace is there for me to continue and experience little successes along the way.
Like our grandson watching the professionals, I witness the example of so many others whose lives demonstrate commitment and perseverance. They inspire me.
At the end of my life in this world, I hope the saints will be cheering me on, and that I can run into the arms of Our Father with relief, excitement, and everlasting joy - secure in His arms. And I long to hear him say, after all the times I've fallen short:
"Well done, good and faithful servant,... Enter into the joy of your Lord." (Matthew 25:23)
