Grateful

Today I took my boys to a different park where they had never been before. I didn't realize that it was next to a school for specialized children until some of the teachers brought over some of the children while we were there playing. First I wasn't sure if I should leave with the boys so they didn't say or do anything to hurt these children or if that would look rude. So, I stayed.

Some of the kids were in wheel chairs and none of them could walk very well. One girl they sat down and Josh sat next to her and she had her tongue sticking out and she was moving around in excitement b/c Josh was trying to play with her and he kept tagging her saying, "You're it!" Josh didn't realize there was anything wrong with her, he just wanted to play with her. I was glad to see that he was making her smile and laugh. I was so proud of him.

At one point one of the teachers was helping one of the boys to walk up the steps and go down the slide and Josiah was standing there and the teacher said, "His legs are a little different than yours and they aren't as strong as yours." She was explaining whey they looked different and why she had to help him. Josiah responded by saying, "My legs are strong." And at that moment I just felt such gratefulness that Josiah was normal and could walk on his own and play and climb and go down slides.

I asked one of the ladies if any of the kids had cerebral palsey b/c they said Jadon, our first son who was born premature, would've most likely had that if he would've lived due to being on the ventilator so long at such high levels and plus b/c of his prematurity. Some of the kids did have it and I just looked at them and wanted to cry b/c I could've had a child like that and my life would be so different. I realized once again how beautiful and precious my boys are to me and how much of a better life Jadon has in heaven than he would here. They didn't stay very long b/c they kids were pretty much worn out from their walk, but I thought I was going to lose it once they left. I was so touched by this and reminded once again how blessed I am to have two healthy, pefectly formed little boys who can live and have a normal life.

We take so much for granted and it's good to be reminded sometimes how much God has given us. We all have suffered or will suffer through tragedies in life, but God still has blessed us tremendously and I am more than grateful.