The picture says it all.
That's our Riley. The first game of the season was his last game of the season.
It was a stellar play. He caught the ball, ran it for 12 yards and a first down. His foot was planted and a player dove for his legs and hit him in the outside shin of his left leg...helmet first. Riley says he both felt and heard it pop. He dropped down and i could hear his scream in the stands. Mark and I knew it wasn't good. The trainers assessed and iced and then motioned for us to come down to the field. That's when you know it's really bad. He was in so much pain. It was agonizing to see him like that and know you can't do anything to help. We took him to the ER and after enough pain meds to kill a horse and a couple of xrays, his pain finally subsided.
I don't know what hurt more...the actual injury or the news from the doc that his season was over.
We had an hour drive home {it was an away game} and it was a somber one. But, then when we got home, the phone started ringing and players and neighbors dropped by with treats and well wishes. The coaches called and encouraged him and his facebook and cell phone lit up with messages from so many people. It truly lifted his spirits.
{broken leg swag}
It is so hard to see the big picture when you are 16 and a year feels like an eternity. We've talked about putting things in perspective {it could be so much worse} and choosing to find the silver lining {he still has his senior year to look forward to}.
Riley has a great attitude and even with the adjustment to his temporarily frustrating life, he still finds a way to roll with it. He has always been our go-with-the-flow kid. If you've been following my blog for a while, you might remember when he broke his back a few years ago and had to wear this thing for 7 months!
This sweet kid is familiar with adversity.
He has been in a wheelchair this week at school because he hasn't been able to put any weight on his leg and well, his school is ginormous!!! He sent me this text on Tuesday...
Then, when i picked him up on Wednesday after school, he tells me they had a tornado drill and again, he was on the 2nd floor! I'm so very thankful to his classmates, friends and teachers who have been so kind and helpful to him. I want to bake the whole school something to thank them all.
But, then i realize that might be tricky with over 4,500 students. :)
It's a raw deal, a big disappointment, a set back. But, it is not a tragedy. He will heal, he will get past this and he will learn from this. And, as Coach told Riley...he will get stronger and will be more hungry next season.
You can't keep a Greyhound down.
Thank you to our dear friends and family for all of your special messages and words of encouragement and offers to help.
There is one thing Riley knows for sure...he is loved. ♥
