Gratituesday: My Family's Health



This is not one of the twins.  This is child #3
when he was sick awhile back.



My husband and I were talking the other day, well, I was complaining about the twins month long ear infections.  There has been much fussiness and crying and clinging not only from them, but from their older brothers too.  I only have so much energy and I'm afraid they have not gotten the attention that they need.

Anyway, as I moaned, I remembered my days as a parapro working with mentally challenged children.  We often went on field trips and had parties with other classes of mentally and physically challenged kids, some of whom were in wheel chairs and/or attached to all sorts of equipment.  One little boy who broke my heart was predicted to live just a couple more years.

Quickly this memory put my attitude in check.  I am lucky that my kids do not have debilitating illnesses or disabilities.  I can only imagine how hard, stressful, and painful life must be for parents who have a child that is physically or mentally handicapped. They spend endless hours at the doctors' and hospitals wracking up medical bills.  Their finances and life in general center around the child's disabilities.  I've seen parents' faces who have to helplessly watch their children grow up unable to participate in things that should be a part of a typical childhood.  I've met those kids who stumble with their reading or who will never read at all, children who will never run because they are bound to their wheelchair and I know the children who live life knowing they only have a short time on this earth. 

I'm blessed to have a healthy family and am grateful, even when I unjustifiably grumble about co-pays and sleepless nights, that, God willing, they will have a normal childhood and adult life.

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