Thankful

I wasn't planning on writing a blog about this but I can't seem to get it out of my head. Last night, a friend sent me a link to a blog about a little girl who is suffering from Neuroblastoma, and sadly is losing the battle quickly. She has been fighting for about a year but it has just gotten too much for her little body. She is only two years old and they said she can die anytime now. I sat there, reading that blog and bawling my eyes out for over an hour. I don't understand why those things happen. And her parents? Well, they seem to have more strength than I can even imagine. I tried putting myself in their shoes while reading, I would be so angry with God. Instead of being angry, they are thankful for every second they had with her and they are thankful for the impact she had on so many lives. I can say I am now one of those lives, and I never even met her.

It really hit me last night how much I take for granted and how entitled I feel to certain things. I laid awake last night thinking of her parents, sitting by her bed, wondering with each breath, which one will be here last. Devastating. Why her? Why not me? Or you? I don't want to live my life thinking that I "deserve" the good things out of life. I want to be thankful. For every breath. For every kiss from my husband. For every giggle from a child. For every cool breeze. For everything. Because those things can be taken away at any moment. I am thankful that I read that blog and I am thankful for little Layla Grace. Her time was too short but she will leave a legacy with so many people.

Here is the link to the blog, http://laylagrace.org. I know the family could use the prayers.

And in case you are wondering, this is EXACTLY why I want to be a Child Life Specialist. I can't wait to meet children like Layla that have more strength and courage than most adults. It is going to be hard when a child loses their battle but if I can bring one second of joy to a suffering child, it will all be worth it.