STRUGGLING WITH SERENDIPITY
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unconditional

7/31/2019

6 Comments

 
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Welcome! The two winners of my book giveaway will be announced on my Facebook and Twitter on Thursday, August 1. Click HERE for my second Serendipity Newsletter. The blog post that follows is the next segment of my family's story (usually three posts a month now) and shares one of my favorite adventures:
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On September 10th, Matt showed us his favorite places in Beijing. The one far off the tourist path had curious boutiques and restaurants in a “hutong,” an old narrow alleyway. Matt worked at an Internet café while Linda and I browsed the shops. Exploring was fun. We paid $4 each for elaborate foot massages at a small salon and soaked our feet in wood buckets filled with flower petals and water. We experienced “cupping” for the first time. A young girl sat by my feet next to clear rounded cups with a wide opening. She lit a match at the opening of the glass cups, one at a time, and suctioned it to the bottom of my foot to draw out toxins. When she removed the cups, they left round bruises.

We also visited my new favorite place in Beijing: the Temple of Heaven.

First constructed in 1420, the circular temples on different levels incorporated exquisite detail. We walked through the Temple of Heaven Park under a canopy of ancient trees. I asked Matt about the groups of residents everywhere. Some played badminton or string instruments while others sang or danced and more. Did they gather specifically for tourists brought by the Paralympics? Matt said no. Residents met friends there throughout the year. Most of them lived in very small apartments, so they socialized in public places like the park.

I followed a formal procedure to visit Beth at the Athlete Village.

I couldn’t wait to have more time with her than a few minutes at the Water Cube. She greeted me in the Athlete Village with a radiant smile and a big hug. Her fingernails sported new red, white, and blue polish, almost professional-looking despite the fact she painted them by herself. Animated, Beth talked about new acquaintances from other countries and fun times with her teammates. I loved how easily she laughed. We strolled through elaborate gardens between the buildings where the athletes stayed. We sat in the midst of the lavish flowers and ponds.

I told her I was proud of her. Unconditionally.

The best-case scenario for Beth’s two races: making finals or beating her best times or setting a new American Record. The odds of rising from 10th and 11th place to the top three for a medal? Slim to none. She also might go home with no best times and not make the top eight in the morning sessions to earn a place in finals. Whatever happened would be more than okay. I remembered the uncertainty after the accident when we had no way of knowing what the future would hold or if she even would have a future.

Every day since Beth's injury had been a gift.

(Click HERE for professional photos from the Beijing Paralympics.)
6 Comments
Victoria Snyder
8/2/2019 04:07:31 pm

What beautiful memories from a beautiful book. I am a retired Nurse, LPN, of 42 years. I learned so much from the book that I never learned or encountered in work or life. Thanks to Sue and Deb for leading me to your book. Love and blessings to Cindy, Beth and their family. Sincerely, Victoria Snyder Rome, Georgia

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Cindy Kolbe link
8/5/2019 04:33:58 pm

Hi, Victoria! Thank you for such a lovely comment! I appreciate your thoughts about my memoir. I worked on it for eight years, and it was difficult to hand it over to the publisher. It's so nice to hear that it meant something to you!

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Amy Henry link
8/3/2019 06:01:25 pm

"Residents met friends there throughout the year. Most of them lived in very small apartments, so they socialized in public places like the park."

I was struck by this observation, Cindy. Americans tend to have larger homes than most of the rest of the world. We can go inside, shut the door, and live life mostly away from others. While it's nice to have a refuge from time to time, I wonder how much we miss by not being propelled out into the community more often, by not having a larger sense of public life. When I was in Italy, I recall how people came out to the Piazza Navona in large numbers at dusk, to stroll, meet friends, be a part of the human scene. Though I knew no one from Rome, I found this nightly gathering of humanity tranquil, reassuring, a feeling of closeness to all people.

I love, too, what you said about Beth, that "Every day since Beth's injury had been a gift." Clearly, both of of you have absorbed that powerful lesson. My son, when he was in high school, used to say "Every day above ground is a good day." And though he got annoyed with how much I loved/repeated those words, they are TRUE.


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Cindy Kolbe link
8/5/2019 05:06:57 pm

Thanks, Amy! The sense of community struck me, too. I think connections also promote understanding and empathy of other people, and as Americans we need more of that! And I love your son's saying. Perspective matters!

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Jason Rhode link
8/5/2019 10:55:33 am

Exactly, Cindy, we take the small victories, so the huge ones are the icing on the cake.

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Cindy Kolbe link
8/5/2019 05:13:45 pm

Agreed, Jason! I think it's all a matter of gratitude for where we are and what we have. :-)

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    Cindy Kolbe

    I'm a mom on a mission to share the power of hope and connection! For signed copies of my memoir, click BOOK.   
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