children's hospital

Nothing makes me feel more deeply grateful than a stroll through the concourse of Children's hospital. I have been hospitalized with a sick infant and all three boys have needed surgical procedures and emergency room visits, yet it never fails. I feel so lucky every time I am there, because it is impossible not to notice how much worse it could be.

Escorting a healthy child who literally holds my hand and skips all the way from the elevator to the blood lab, I pass children in strollers and wheelchairs with conditions I can neither name nor imagine caring for on a daily basis.

Of course, if that was the card I were dealt, I would play it the best I could. But I am so thankful for the relatively minor challenges I have faced in my life.

"What was that?" my seven year old asks once we are out of earshot of the mother and child with whom we have just shared an elevator from the parking garage.

"Honey, I have no idea. And I am so glad I don't have to."

"What do you mean?"

"Many of the people here are dealing with situations more difficult than anything we can imagine. And it just makes me feel so lucky to have such healthy, wonderful children."

Big smile.

And even though he was nervous, I suspect that he felt lucky, too.