Reflection

I have some time this morning before our visit with President Obama. The kids that we have met down here have been amazing! There are premature babies like Becca... many 24 weekers, many kids with cancer that are still fighting their battles, two kids with Spina Bifida, kids in that have been in car accidents and even a child that has been in a plane crash. Katie, the plane crash victim also lost her father in the same crash. Her father was piloting the plane when it went down.

We sat with a child named Pearce yesterday. Her story is amazing! I have to share it. She was diagnosed in Feb 2008 with a brain tumor, cancer. She has undergone chemotherapy and radiation. She is 11 and a child advocate for children with cancer. He mom was saying that she goes to big corporations and speaks to companies about childhood cancer. She asks them for money for research. SHE'S 11!!!!!!! I don't know if could do that and I am 30!

I didn't know what to expect when we got down here. I did not prepare Becca for what some of children might look like. Some have been diagnosed, born with or one child even had the flesh eating virus... so the children "look different" Becca was frightened at first and actually used that word. I told her that even though these children may look different on the outside they are the same as her on the inside. She totally understood that! By yesterday she was talking and playing with all the children, they had a blast at the capitol.

This trip has taught Becca a lesson that she will never forget. Someone may look different or even scary, but they are a person with feelings and that they may even be just like her.

I have been humbled by these children and parents that have on going battles that may never be won. I can not imagine being in their position, but at the same time I know that one of my children could get sick at any time. The thing about illness is you never know when it will hit and who it will hit and how hard it will hit. Most people take health for granted. I will never take it for granted again! God Bless these children and parents!