Five Things...

You know what it is like to want something? I mean really, really, really want something badly? So badly that you find yourself bargaining with greater powers and making little *deals* in your head...."If I could just have this one thing, I wouldn't want anything more. This is really the most important thing to me ever. If I get this one thing, I will feed the hungry and stop complaining about stupid things. etc..."

Then you get it. And you do the happy dance and try to live up to all those little *deals* you made ..... For about a week..... Eventually you get used to having this *thing* and fail to appreciate how lucky you are to have said *thing*.

A friend of ours is having major health issues due to his diabetes. He is in need of a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, due to other complications he is at this very moment under-going a coronary bypass. Because of this, they want his body to have a good 6 months to recuperate and have to postpone the transplant (not that he has found a kidney). Mostly likely, he will have to go on dialysis shortly after surgery. At least until he secures a new kidney and is healthy enough for the transplant.

I believe he is only in his late 30's. He has a wife and three young children ages 4 through 9. His oldest child is severely affected by Autism and has epilepsy as well. He is the sole breadwinner for his family, and neither of their families live near them. I can't imagine how stressful and scary this must be for them. If it were me, I would probably be hoping, begging, and pleading and making lots of little *deals* with myself. It really makes you stop and think.

So here are my five things to ponder for today:

1. Waking up every morning to the man of my dreams
2. Filling our lives with the most beautiful children
3. Earning my college degree
4. Owning our very own home
5. Getting Keenan into Oakstone School

Each of these things is something I wanted very badly. Each of these is something that at some point in time, I couldn't imagine wanting anything more. Each is something I have come to take for granted. Today I find myself really focusing on them and appreciating them more than ever.