Jenny

 



 
 She is anything but ordinary...
Sometimes you flail around, not really understanding the purpose in life... especially your own. Some days you wonder just why the #*&% you’re here on earth, and why. That is totally me, some days. One day, especially, a month or so ago. I have been doing some major healing, spiritually, the past 7 years. I have had to dig down, and really face some things I never wanted to face before. Admit things I did not want to admit. It’s ok, though.

On this particular day I did not want to get up, or go to work teaching, or live for that matter. I have a student in my kids’ class in a very upscale town of athletes. This little girl, named Jenny, is very special. Her parents treat her like an ordinary child. She is anything but ordinary. She is extraordinary. You know – one of those miracle children. She has Down Syndrome. She tried karate a few years ago, and was too, let’s say unfocused to stay with it. We decided to try to get her into private lessons. Well, it never happened, and a few years later her Mom wanted to try again.

She came into my life when I needed it most, which I didn’t know, of course. She started classes again about 6 months ago, and she is starting to focus. Little by little, she is starting to get it. She is 9 years old now, and doing great in karate. When she gets a good report (I found out one day), she gets chocolate pudding, which she really likes. So I make sure to tell Mom or Dad when she does well.

So, getting back to this certain day... (Boy, I can get off into my own little world, can’t I?) I did not want to teach, nor speak, nor do anything this particular day. But I did. I cowboyed up, and put on the face that I had to put on. I went to class, and had my assistants warm up the class. I was doing abs in the back of the workout room with a student training for a fight. We were bound and determined to do our 800 crunches, and were at about 300, when I noticed Jenny not paying attention to my assistants.

My ego started telling me Oh, so she only listens to me, and I liked that. It made me feel good, like I give her something no-one else can. But after 500 crunches, I thought Well, darn it, she should listen so I can finish my crunches and she was playing with these instructors – she knew exactly what she was doing.

We got in about 700 crunches before I got up to teach Jenny. I said, “Ok, Jenny, Sensei is here now. You have to listen.” And it took me 2 minutes to get her to focus. She likes to copy me, so we were facing each other, doing traditional blocks, and having a great time. She was listening to me completely and my EGO went right up, in a scale of... whatever. I was feeling great, and so was she.

I was facing her, and we were smiling, and she looked at me and said, “Sensei!” She grabbed my head, pulled me to her, and gave me a big, wet one... right on the lips. I just started laughing and thought THIS IS IT! This is my mission, my purpose in life... To bring little miracles to kids and adults through the martial arts. This is what makes it all worthwhile. This is why I am here on this earth, right now, at this minute.

A month later, I told her Dad this story while Jenny was sitting on my lap after class, exhausted. She was loving it, and I was loving it, and told her Dad, “Well, my kids are too old and I never get to hold kids like this anymore.” He was happy, and Mom was happy, and Jenny was real happy.

I love my job. Every time I wonder why I am here, God shows me why in one little miracle of a child or adult who needs something, anything... like a little shot of confidence, or a bit of loving. It just shows me why I am here. Now that is what it’s all about. That is what I am here for.

marcia@GurlFytrz.com