Special Hero

Like all of us, we have bad weeks. I have amazing friends who keep me in check. You know there are always people who wont be there and there is always a story. I have worked with the Armed Forces Foundation and the American Heart Association for a long time and also the March of Dimes. We lived in the NICU for 165 days and for the first few years of my son's life, we worried what day would be his last. It was a very scary and dark time. I am living with heart disease and surgeries and lost my parents to Cardiovascular Disease far too young. I have a great friend, thank you Trinity, for giving me the fresh kick I needed. The "I" gets exhausting so I certainly would not want to hear about it. This week I started to really look at the we in society. You can not compare one journey to the other but what about our military? Its easy to forget what happens everyday to military families. The VA and medical care? Don't get me started on recent medical reports in the news. I remember when Andy got back from his second deployment he checked a website every night to see if any of his friends passed. I remember when they did. I did not live it  but as a spouse, I remember the call ironically on Fathers Day telling me they had been hit by an IED but he was ok. When we lived in Germany, it was a lookout when deployment happened for the men in uniform.

We are at various military hospitals and children's hospital's and as I look around, I am ashamed of myself. I use the "I" too much. The AFF does monthly dinners and there are very young soldiers just trying to understand why. Really reminds me of just how trivial some worries are. There is no why answer. What you are is a hero and the answer is more why am I not incredible as you. Why don't I have your courage and strength? Do you know how incredible you are?

Special children are given to special people and special people need to just own that even if you don't have a village, you are still just that special! I am blessed for my miracles and being in Mommy groups remind me of just how blessed I am.

In a land of words that some people take FARRRRRR to personally and situations that in the big scheme of things, you allow yourself to get to upset about, walk away, tune it out and remember that everyone has a story and a heartache. No one is more important or less important in this world. Its the grace of how you handle the situation that really matters. Don't forget you may have a lot of "I"'s in your world but there are people out that that really struggle everyday to find hope or a reason. Remember the children we are blessed to have and the children who are lost. Remember the heart and cancer stories and the fear that an ailment brings. Remember our military and their families. Remember that some stupid post by rude people are people who are just too wrapped up in "I" and will never change. I have learned that the hard way. That's why they create block buttons and DELETE! Thank you Facebook and ATT!

There is good in the world and I believe that to be true. Continue to focus on the positive and enjoy your journey.

Did you know that saying hi or smiling at a stranger is good for your heart:)))))

Rock on~my heart truth~