Perspective

"It's all relative to your own experiences," I often tell my friends and family after they've said, "I don't know how you do it." Usually this is said in reference to the frequent curve balls life throws at our daughter and us. I constantly remind them that they'd take the same steps if in similar shoes. Sometimes they'll qualify statements about their own sleepless night because they know how sleep deprived I've been for the better part of six years. I am always telling them not to do that... of course they're tired if they're used to getting more sleep.
It's all relative - - experiences create your perspective. Learning about the experiences of others can change your perspective - - not necessarily because another's situation is more difficult or dire, but so many times because of the way in which others so gracefully and positively handle such situations.

Several months ago, Hannah (my friend and sister on this journey), wrote a poignant post on Perspective. I encourage anyone reading this post to click the link and read it (or re-read it if you've previously had the pleasure). It's the kind of post that speaks to my very core - - as do many of hers. I revisited it today because in the last handful of days, several of my friends have emailed, texted or called to say that after catching up on our blog, they've once again been able to take a step back from their own chaos and what they think is currently a big deal in their lives and re-group. They kindly say that our situation - - Gracie's life and how we function as a family in spite of all she endures - - gives them perspective on their own.

Perhaps "perspective" is one of the reasons so many of us blog. We share, we glean, we learn, we grow - - our perspectives shift as we read about and share in the lives of others. In the same way that my friends view our lives, I gain new perspective each day by following the lives of the Nelson Family. They are unmet friends in CHARGE and their daughter, Moriah (who has had a place in our blog sidebar for quite some time now), has been in the hospital for ten months. What the three of them have been through during this time is unfathomable. Yet, through it all, they've shown unwavering faith and have handled themselves with the utmost grace. They are amazing people... amazing parents... and they have a beautiful daughter who is such a sweetheart and clearly a fighter.

While we've weathered a lot with Gracie, what Moriah and her parents have endured is unimaginable, even to us. Through their experiences (that they so openly and honestly share with the blogger world), they've taught us and continue to teach us so much about courage, faith, love, what matters and what doesn't. They give us and teach us perspective daily.

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Moriah's medical issues continue to stump the doctors and her condition has taken yet another downturn. Whether you pray, send positive thoughts or meditate... please direct some of this energy to the Nelson family.