Taking Health for Granted

When my daughter was born, I loved going to well-baby check-ups. I couldn't wait to find out what percentile my daughter was, as if being in the 90% for height somehow directly translated to her being the smartest, most special baby in the world. I was smug. I'd walk out of the appointment and call my other mom-friends. We'd share stats and talk possibilities. It wasn't until I had my son that I realized that I had taken it all for granted.

With my son, I realize now that health is so precious, something to be cherished. Before I knew this, I remember hopping jovially into his 4 month well-baby visit. I don't remember exactly what I was thinking but I remember it wasn't about his health. The idea that he was anything less than perfect was not even a possibility. And then a second later, it was. Instead of skipping gleefully away and calling friends, I had to call a neurologist to set up an appointment. My baby boy wasn't developing on a normal scale. 

The moment you realize this is the moment you want to delete all your friends from Facebook and Instagram and every other form of social media. You don't want to look at their perfectly happy babies; you don't want to see those beautiful cherubs achieving their milestones. It's a terrible way to be but it just is. Every "look at my baby roll over" post would send me into a spiral of negativity. It should have been me posting those happy milestones, not me posting another picture of my baby smiling...because that's all he could do. 

I try not be angry with other moms. They simply don't know any better. If the shoe were on the other foot, I know I would be tooting my son's horn, proclaiming his amazingness for all to see. Heck, I was one of those moms once long ago. I broadcast my daughter's rolling and walking and wanted the world to see how proud I was. And I should've been; she was and still is amazing! But I have learned to realize that my son is too. I don't know another baby that has been poked and prodded like he has and yet, he comes out smiling. I will be emotionally drained, balling my eyes out, and look over to see him grinning away at me. In the middle of hospital stays and after blood draws, he will laugh. His attitude and positive outlook on life make me more proud than if he were to roll over right now. With him, I've come to realize that it's not about any sort of timetable or calendar; it's about feeling blessed with what you have and not taking it all for granted. 

Now I belong to a special club. I belong to a group of parents that have had to realize that life is truly a gift, that the easiness of it all can be ripped away in an instant. I am a proud member of this group because these parents and their children inspire me every day to be the best mom I can be and to truly be thankful for all the blessings in my life.