It was a bit of a rough weekend for our family. Hailey had a game this past Thursday, and the whole family went including Grandma and Papa Skolmoski, Aunt Sarah and Aunt Rachie and their little ones.
Hailey scored a goal which was totally awesome! She is currently the lead scorer in the division with 9 goals this season. Yeah for Hailey.
Well, about 10 minutes into the second half of the game, Hailey was going after the ball and a player from the opposing team was going after it as well. (If you ask me, the girl was going after Hailey and not the ball) Well Hailey was going at the ball straight on, the other girl was coming at an angle and plowed Hailey from the side sending her straight down into the ground.Usually, Hailey gets right back and keeps going. This time, she just laid there. I started feeling a little sick to my stomach. When I saw her stand up, and her coach asked if she was ok, she nodded her head, with her red, tear streaked face and said she was ok.
This is Hailey right after the collision.Thanks to some great reffing (much sarcasm added) our team got the penalty kick because of the foul. The upside is, we made the kick.
The downside is, after the penalty kick, Hailey was sobbing and asked to be taken out. When she came out she said her arm really hurt. When the girl hit her, Hailey fell flat on her shoulder.
Thankfully we have an ER nurse and an internal medicine doctor on our team and they both came and looked at her.
The conclusion. Broken Collar Bone.
Now you would think that we would have taken off right then and there from the game and went straight to the hospital.
Hailey would have none of that. Being team captain, she felt it was important to stay to the end. The 2 wonderful moms/nurse and doctor made a makeshift sling, and put some ice on her shoulder and Hailey sat for the remaining 20 minutes in total agony until her game was over. Yes, mom was a little panicked. I kept asking her, "are you sure you want to stay" and she kept saying, through tears, moans and gritted teeth,
"yes mom, I'm staying!"
When the game was over, her team came over and did the cheer with her sitting in my chair. Then we made the short walk to the car, Hailey very gingerly.
As Papa was buckling Hailey into the burb, she said,"thanks for coming Papa" through her sobs.
Paul and I had a little arguement about who was taking her to the ER. Of course I had to go. Of course he had to go.
What a blessing family is, because Sarah, Rach, grandma and papa took care of the kids, drove Paul's truck home with the kids and made sure they were all ready for bed.
Meanwhile, back the hospital, our fears were confirmed.
Broken Collarbone.
Hailey is out the rest of the season.
Hailey heart was broken. Anyone who knows Hailey knows how much she LOVES the game of soccer. Her injury hurt, no doubt. But the final words of no soccer for 6 weeks hurt her more.
We went home in a fog. Hailey slept pretty good that night. Of course for a collarbone, they cannot cast it or anything. Just a sling.
I called the Pediatrician the next day and he gave us a few other things to help Hailey feel more comfortable.
I got to help Hailey wash her hair. I haven't done that for a few years now. I had to help her dress. That might have been a bit humilating but it was a blessing to me.
As we talked that next day, Hailey asked why this had to happen to her.
It was a great teaching moment, and her first real life lesson.
I told her that this might be the first time she has ever asked the question,
"why me?" but it wasn't going to be the last.
Then I was able to explain to her that Heavenly Father allows us to experience challenges, disappointments, hurt and trials to help us become stronger and better. It isn't what happens to us but how we deal with it that matters the most.
Since our conversation, I haven't seen anything but a smile on her face.
What I have learned from this is what an AMAZING daughter I have.
She is discouraged. Who wouldnt be? But she got up the next morning, which was Saturday, and went to her game and sat on the sidelines cheering her team on. Paul said that her feet were moving quite a bit as she sat there wanting to be out with her team. But she did not complain once and she kept that smile on her face the entire time. If nothing else, Hailey is an example of humility and courage. I am the luckiest mom in the world to have a daughter like her.
Her sisters have been so kind and loving towards her as well.Are we going to miss soccer? ABSOLUTELY. They are currently in 1st place and have 3 more games to go.
But Hailey won't let it get her down. If I know my little girl, this will only make her better and stronger.
Heavenly Father sure knew what I needed when He sent her to us.
I love my humble little Hailey bug.
