sobering moment

I had a terrific day with my two girls today. This was made even better with the chance to cuddle them both to sleep. It is tax season after all.

However, while watching the 10 o'clock news I got a humbling and sobering moment. They were highlighting the dance marathon taking place at UNI tonight. The girl they interviewed was 13 and getting treated for HUS. This is the disease Katelyn developed when she was battling E. Coli a year in a half ago. Anyway, this 13 year old girl developed HUS when she was 5 and has been getting weekly to biweekly dialysis and under took two kidney transplants.

I instantly became reminded of all the warnings and "chances" we became aware of while at the U of I Children's Hospital those cold November days. How my recent three year old baby girl was yellow and lying lifeless on a hospital bed hooked up to different machines. Screaming out in pain every time someone walked in the room or even when she went to the bathroom. How many hours I spent praying that we could just go home, mad at the thought, the chance of them putting her in a medically induce coma to get dialysis, terrified they had given her a 40% chance of survival.

After playing with my sometimes too strong-willed healthy four and a half year old I think about this poor girl (and her family's) journey through this disease.

I am a believer in prayer and miracles, however the unfairness of life still breaks my heart. As I leave my computer I am off to thank the dear Lord for all of his many blessings he has and has yet to give me. I pray for the miracles I see everyday, I pray for all of those I love, all of those I teach, all of those I know, and everything in the world I wish people would not have to experience.

I thank this young girl for reminding me of just how much I have to be thankful for, and congratulate her on the bravery she shouldn't have to endure. Thank you for helping me step back and remember what is truly important. I am glad I caught the news tonight.

Good night!