Don't Worry Be Happy

I have to appologize to Kate of Sweet/Salty. This was supposed to be an email to her inspired by this post. But as I wrote it I realized that many of my two or less readers probably need to hear these words again. We all need to be reminded of them every now and again - including me after I've spent two very long 9 hour days trapped in a car with my husband and two small children.


Daddy-O and I have spent the better part of the last 2+ years fending off undeserved compliments as to how "wonderful" we've handled the trials in our life. Words like "strength" and "grace", "awe-inspiring" and "amazing" are bandied about by people who have no real concept of their meaning. Many ask how we've managed to keep such positive attitudes through all of our dealings with D's blindness and many surgeries, then my cancer diagnosis and treatment. Daddy-O and I just tell them the simple yet horrible truth. If you have ever spent any time at all in the children's hospital or cancer ward you realize that we have nothing to complain about. We are the lucky ones. There are parents out there that have to deal with all sorts of unimaginable scenarios on a daily basis in their households. Hell, there are parents that haven't seen the inside of their houses in months and months because they sleep sitting up in a hospital recliner waiting for their child to moan and stir in his sleep.

We, Daddy-O and I, are so blessed to have our two boys. Both of them. Even when we bitch. Even when we whine. They are our lives. And we're so very lucky to have each other. We certainly couldn't do it alone. D & B are happy, social, well adjusted boys who are smart and healthy. What's to handle? A bit of a vision problem? A little cancer? Humph! We'll rock the house with that!


Just look at my family! In this picture you'll find: 2 breast cancer survivors, a hemophiliac, and a blind boy. Can you pick them out? Which one of us looks to be suffering?