Layla Grace

While I have been blogging about mundane things like the weather and downright ridiculous topics like being a snuggleupagus, there are people who are facing possibly the worst day of their lives. I'm not meaning to be a downer or to make you sad, but we all need a reality check sometimes as to how blessed we actually are.

I've been hit with this thought in the opposite position before. When I was 15 my Dad had unexpected health problems that rocked my family to the core. I always wonder what life would have been like had that never happened. Where would we be today? That day there was a change in course for each member of our family.

There was an entire summer where we didn't know if Dad would make it and though thankfully I still have my sweet Dad as you know, life was never the same. It was a new reality. It woke me up.

I remember during that summer being on the way to Hermann hospital to see Dad in the NICU with my Grandmother and looking over at a car with kids that looked to be about my age. They were smiling and laughing as if they didn't have a care in the world.

How could they laugh and smile? Didn't they know the world was falling apart? At least for me.

And I thought, I want to go back to That. To Before.

That instance has always been a reminder that while today I may be at the top of the mountain, there are others feeling it crumble beneath them.

But I forget so often. I am that kid in the car laughing, not a care in the world. Which is good sometimes to be able to put circumstances behind us. At first I felt guilty about my trivial bloggings, but am reminded that humor and laughter is a joy that should be shared.

But today all laughter aside, sometimes we need to feel others' pain. And on that note, with empathy - not sympathy.

The devastation in Haiti and Chili have already impacted me so much I haven't even been able to touch on them in this blog. It's just too much for words sometimes.

This week I have been reminded of these thoughts by a precious little girl's fight for life. By what Layla Grace's family is going through. My problems are so small. I am abundantly blessed. Please take a moment to visit her blog. Pray for Layla Grace and her family and squeeze your family tight tonight.