Sunday, May 9, 2010

Counting my blessings

Y is thankfully recovering well from his procedures. Yesterday he was up to his usual shenanigans and we went to the park in the afternoon.

When we were at the park, we met another family whose son has down syndrome. He was a cute little 2.5 year old boy who was playing on the slide. His father approached me and started asking me questions abt Y. He told me that Y looks great and was very impressed with the way Y was carrying himself, the way he was running around the park independently. I took another look at my little boy and there he was, chasing the birds yet again, having a great time, like all the other kids at the park.

An hour later we ran into a couple we know from the neighborhood. We were just chatting while our kids were digging around in the sandbox, when the husband said to me, "You know, Y looks really great." The whole thing was kind of ironic to me because 48 hours ago, he had been lying in bed moaning after his surgery, but right now in the sandbox, he really did look good. Happy and healthy.

I will admit that I am usually a "glass-half-empty" kind of person. I have a tendency to notice the things that are missing, rather than focusing on what I do have. It is a flaw I am aware of and trying to change, little by little. I want to appreciate my children and my husband and not think about the mess they made or the fact that he is late again (so cliche but so true...). It is hard and requires conscious effort. But speaking to these strangers and acquaintances in the park made me realize that maybe it is not so hard after all. If they can see the beauty and growth in my child, then I definitely should. I should stop thinking about the fact that Y does not know how to hop, ride a bike or talk in full sentences and focus on all the amazing things he can do: chase the pidgeons, swing on the big kids swing, navigate the park more of less on his own. He can communicate his needs and loves everything connected to Judaism. I could go on and on but you get the picture.

So here is to becoming more aware of the blessings in our lives and appreciating the little moments, one at a time.

2 comments:

  1. Kol hakavod. I'm sure there is a sephari transliteration ;) like you told me last week. If we can keep these positve thoughts in our minds 5% of the time out relationships would be so much better. And I very much say that to myself too. Plus Y, A & M are awesome!!

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  2. Kol hakavod What a beautiful article We all have to be appreciative of all the blessings hashem gives us Were so relieved that y is finished with the surgery and on the road of recovery Happy Mothers day also

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