It's so interesting to me the things that you can learn about your kids when they are forced to face a tough life's lesson. In this case it was Tyler learning that showing off for a friend while riding his bike even though he had already received a prompting that what he was doing wasn't a good idea...really isn't a good idea.
Tyler and his friend, Hyrum, went bike riding over at UVU. Neither boys were wearing helmets, in part because I ignored the prompting I received just before Tyler left to holler at him to put his helmet on. I didn't want to be the "over protective-uncool mom" you know. Shortly after Ken and I left on our date night we received a phone call from a stranger informing us that Tyler had had an accident on his bike. We were over near the University Mall and Ken didn't get much information over the telephone. We only knew that Tyler was hurt, that he was being helped be a stranger named Craig, and that we could find them waiting for us by the airplane. That short drive from the mall to UVU never felt so long in my life. Inside I was panicking. At one point I considered getting out of the 4 Runner and running toward UVU because it seemed that I could get there faster than what we were driving. Thankfully I got a grip on reality before I exited the vehicle. As soon as the car was in park I was on a sprint for the airplane. Relief rushed over me when I saw Tyler standing there in one piece with Hyrum and Craig by his side. Then another pain hit my chest when I saw Tyler holding a blooding paper towel to his eye. Every mother hurts when their child is hurting and I hurt for Tyler then. I wanted to take my 12 year old boy in my arms and make him all better and some how stop his pain. I did take him in my arms and comfort him the best I could and thankfully the shock he was in from his accident was numbing the pain of his injuries.
So I bet you are wondering what happened, huh?
Tyler decided to bike down a multi-level flight of stairs on his bike. He got near the bottom when he knew he was going to fast and would most likely crash. That is the last thing he remembers before picking himself off the ground with blood dripping from his face. He made his way back up a hill to where his friend Hyrum was waiting. Hyrum helped him into the school and found a group of students studying and asked to borrow a cell phone. The boys were helped by a kind man who assisted Tyler and stayed with the boys until Ken and I arrived.
Tyler ended up with five stitches above his eye, a swollen chin, a sore collar bone, and a little road rash. It could have been much worse. I'm grateful that is was not.
Here are a few things I learned from Tyler that night....
-Tyler was instantly humble. In trying to comfort him by saying..." these things happen, and it's okay". He replied, "No Mom, I was being stupid." Tyler, I want to assure you that we have all done stupid things in our lives...that is part of learning. We learn from our mistakes. I also want you to know that I was very impressed with your ability to be responsible and accountable for your actions. You didn't make excuses, you didn't blame anyone else. Which brings me to the second thing I learned about you.
-Tyler is very compassionate to others even when he is the one in need of compassion. As I mentioned, right away Tyler was remorseful of his decision to be careless. He immediately began thinking about others by asking if we thought Hyrum was OK or if we thought he was too traumatized. He apologized for interrupting our date night. He showed appreciated and respect for Craig, the man who helped him. He was concerned about my bike he was riding. Every time he talked he was showing concern or appreciation for some one else. The day after his accident he delivered cookies and a thank you card to Hyrum. And it was all his idea.
-The last thing I learned about Tyler is that even though he is a brave young man he is also really afraid of needles. After the initial shock wore off and he began to feel some pain he became aware that stitches would require needles and he was very unsettled with that realization. Gratefully he actually never felt a thing. Even the shots required to numb his eye he never felt. That was a blessing.
Tyler healed up nicely over the last few weeks and I think he learned a lesson that will last for a life time....When the Spirit warns...you listen.
I sure do love this kid!
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