Friday, October 3, 2008

GRATITUDE

You know we all go through difficult times in our lives and every once in a while we think we're just never gonna make it whether that cause be family issues, heartbreak, finances, failure on the track or whatever the case might be. Somehow, some way though, you seem to always make it through though. You always make it through!!

My business partner and I currently have a client for whom we are changing her half bathroom downstairs to a full bathroom to accommodate her eldest son who is handicapped. He is 6 years old and he has to remain on a ventilator. In addition to having cerebral palsy, he has is both blind and deaf. You would think under these circumstances, his parents would be overwhelmed and distraught and feeling sorry for themselves and who wouldn't understand that, right?

To the contrary, I have to say, I have NEVER been more impressed, inspired and moved by the spirit and the heart that his parents display. Always upbeat, always smiling, always getting on with the business of life......

They have two younger sons, 4 and 3 years old and these boys are so happy and loving. Last night, their mother was saying she doesn't understand why Governor Palin makes such a big deal about having a baby with special needs and I couldn't understand why she was saying that. Then, she said when people ask her how can she be so courageous given her son's disabilities, she says, "I'm not courageous! I'm a mother. I don't get special bonus points for taking care of my child, regardless of his condition. That's my job!"

I thought about what she said and I have to tell you, I was even more impressed by her character and her genuineness because I had never thought about it like that. So the next time I wanna walk around feeling sorry for myself that I didn't jump far enough, or that I'm under the weather, or someone hurt my feelings, I'm gonna think of my client and just dust myself and keep on keeping on! I have SO much to be grateful for and I don't want to ever waste another moment worrying about the small stuff or even the big stuff. Life is just waaaay too short for that!

7 comments:

Dana said...

Thank you for sharing Jackie! This was an awesome post!!

Anonymous said...

I love that story.

Anonymous said...

You are so right. Your client made a VERY good point.

k. carli said...

Jackie!!! Thank you so much for sharing this. You know that I've been having a rough time these past few weeks per our sharing notes back and forth. But this along with some revelation attained through meditation and prayer has allowed me to shake the dust from my feet and keep it moving, and that with a smile.

Further to that, I am so in agreement with your client. Being a mother is a task to some, and an honor to others. It sounds like your client could given Sarah Palin and some other "Mom's in the spotlight" a good lesson in life.

Very Encouraging...

-Kinta

Mizrepresent said...

So true, i needed to hear this today...need to do a bit of dusting off my self. Thanks.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

good never feel sorry for yourself i cant belive u ever did such

Unknown said...

Hello Jake,
Thank you very much for sharing with us. You know that I've been having a rough time these past few weeks per our sharing notes back and forth.

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