Treasure Your Children

For a couple of weeks now, I have had something on my heart and just haven't shared it yet. It stems from my volunteering at Texas Children's Hospital Cancer Center, as well as my involvement on an online forum for parents of children with liver disease, and also personal friends dealing with sick children, infertility and infant loss.

My plea is for the parents of small children who read my blog: Treasure your children. Take time to enjoy them, and love them, and get to know them. Their childhood passes too quickly and I know that this cliche, but this season is so short.

I was volunteering a few weeks ago and doing a craft with one of my favorite little girls. She was just having so much fun and then the nurse called her back. She started crying and screaming because she knew what was coming (she is only 2 1/2, but already wise to the hospital ritual). A lab draw, maybe, or chemotherapy. Something that would hurt. I had to turn away so her mom and dad wouldn't see the tears in my eyes.

I also mentioned my online support group. In the last month, one baby died at only 11months, waiting for a liver transplant. There are a few others that are barely clinging to life. If you have a child, give them a kiss as you thank God for another day.

We have a personal friend whose daughter is waiting for a transplant. The baby is so precious, I could just hold her all day! But she is sick, and she needs a transplant, fast. It breaks my heart to look at her, and her sweet mother, who has endured so much these first 11 months of motherhood.

If you have a healthy child(ren), please be thankful that part of your life doesn't entail sitting in a hospital all day, waiting for news that may not be good. I am speaking to myself here. Although Landon is technically sick, he is in a very healthy period of his life and I tell myself all the time to enjoy this time, even when he is driving me crazy. Is this always easy? By no means, no. But I am trying to become more mindful of how I react to both he and Allie, and truly learn what it means to treasure them.

If you have an ill child, or are struggling with infertility, or have lost a child, may you find the grace and strength you need to get through this trial. All of these issues are definitely dear to my heart and I would love to pray for you. Just leave me a comment or e-mail me.

I'll close with words from God:
Psalms 127:3
Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.