How Tall Are You?

Ever since moving into our house (1978) we have marked our children's height on the kitchen wall. At some point their friends decided they would like in on this, so were included on the graph. Whenever we redecorated Peter would painstakingly place all these marks on a paper pattern, and copy them back on the freshly painted wall, with the appropriate names beside them. The shortest mark on the wall belongs to our (now deceased) dog, the tallest to our daughter's boyfriend.

When Christian was still in hospital, he was already wondering what sports he could still enjoy--many people suggested wheelchair basketball. He was quick to point out that this was a sport he had not shone at as an upright, so why would he suddenly find skill when two feet shorter!

Christian was injured when he was twenty, 6'3” and still growing. He now has a more recent mark on our kitchen wall, 4'8”. Some people, those he has met since 1996, have no idea how tall he is now. When people see him lying down they are often surprised at his height. He also knows that it doesn't really matter.

What does matter is setting goals and reaching for them. What does matter is constantly stretching and challenging yourself. If you are doing this, rest assured, you are taller than those who never achieve their potential. So give it your best, and reach for the stars!