Sunday, May 04, 2008

The small stuff...

I am realizing lately that if you read this blog on any regular basis, you may think that I am a rather unhappy, somewhat indignant person. That is because I tend to write to vent. This is not a good habit. First of all, writing only when you are angry or frustrated scars the soul. Second, it gives the wrong impression.

I am blessed...amazingly and undeservedly blessed.

Over the last few weeks I have been reading a blog written by a family. This amazing family has been struck with a heartbreaking illness. Their 9 month old son contracted streptococcus pneumonia in the form of an ear infection that went into his brain and became an extremely damaging form of meningitis. This perfect baby is now left deaf, likely blind and with brain damage.

If this happened to me, I would spend many many hours crying and likely cursing my father in heaven. I just don't face tragedy with quiet faith and dignity. This family is quite the opposite. They have shared every moment of the last three months through their blog. If they are bitter and angry over what has happened to their child, it does not show through in their writing. I am sure they have their quiet moments where tears flow and anger surfaces, but they buckle down and face the challenges ahead with that faith and dignity that I know down in my heart I lack. They are amazing people and I have become addicted to reading their entries and allowing it to change my point of view.

I have four amazing healthy kids, I have a warm home and a perfect husband who I adore more than there are words to express. We are having our 5th child in September and as of our ultrasound she is health and doing great.

There are things that matter in this world...and there are things that just don't. Rob, the father of this little boy, said in one post that this trial has taught him the meaning of the phrase "don't sweat the small stuff." I am going to try to put these words to better use in my own life.