Reality Check

This morning I made yet another trip to the doctor's office to get Bean her well-baby checkup. And you know what? It sucked. And I was going to complain about it. However, when I got home, I made a discovery that broke my heart, made me think, and jolted me back to what is really important in this life. It's not my story to tell, but I will say that after a checkup in which my baby is perfect, physically and developmentally, my heart hurts for those who do not recieve such news, and the places in life that it takes them.

So I won't complain about how many poopy diapers I had to change today, because someday (however far off) my kids will be potty trained.

I won't complain about my problems with the clinics on post, because however hellish it may be, I have healthcare that covers all of my family's needs. And because I don't have to think about the limits of that insurance, since my kids don't require anything special.

I won't complain about how many times I was up with my kids last night, or any night, because I can fix whatever is wrong with them and go back to bed in peace.

I won't complain when they are sick, because my kids require not much more than Tylenol and naps to be well again.

I will give them extra hugs and kisses on their bumps and bruises, and be grateful that my kisses, a freezie, and a Nemo bandaid will ease their pain.

I will be thankful that my children will run, jump, play, read, laugh, talk, sing, and dance, and enjoy all this world has to offer. My children will grow up, the greatest gift of all.

It devastates me that I should have to be thankful for any one of these things. Every parent should be able to take these things for granted, and not have to see their child suffer. I feel guilty knowing that someone else's pain makes me intensely thankful that it's not me. I am inspired, however, to love my kids more and to celebrate the gift of "normal".