Be thankful for what you have

That's the point of Thanksgiving right? To be thankful for what you have, to enjoy your family. Sometimes we forget about that.

Sometimes I'm stressed: appointments, school, specialists, therapy activities and exercises, homework, housework, etc. It gets to be too much, and then I complain. If only we didn't have that appointment I could do this instead. If only Brooklyn wouldn't have a meltdown I could go to the grocery store, etc.

I have a friend who is pregnant with her second child, a little girl. She's due on Valentine's day. She has a little  boy who is almost 6, and he was really looking forward to being a big brother. Early last month her daughter was diagnosed with a fatal neurological defect called Anencephaly. This randomly occurs when the top of the neural tube doesn't close, the top part of the head and majority of the brain fail to form. There is no cure, and no chance of survival. In the most perfect of situations Anencephaly babies live for a few weeks, maybe a couple of months. Most commonly they live minutes to a couple hours after birth, if they aren't born an angel.

This friend is currently in labor to delivery her precious baby angel right now. My heart is broken for her. I know how much she wished for those next few months to feel her little one growing and kicking her in belly. And it makes me think of my kiddos, of how lucky I am to have them. As much as my girls require a lot of care, their disorders/conditions aren't life threatening. My children will be here tomorrow. My friend, she'd probably give anything to be in my situation.

Putting things into perspective... Sometimes we all need a little reminder.

Emilee, Will, and children, you guys are in our prayers. Love to you all.

If you'd like, you can follow Emilee's story at http://babyleilagrace.blogspot.com/