Compassion

Through grief, comes compassion for others. True compassion and understanding of specific circumstances.

There is a little girl in my neighborhood who has recently been diagnosed with Leukemia. She is 7 years old, my daughter Emma's age. When I read her story in our little town's newspaper, I instantly understood and felt the fear the mother is going through. Not only from hearing the news that my babies would die shortly after birth due to Potter's, but also from the experience with my 14 year old son also suffering from a rare liver disease.

He became very ill last year. At first we thought it was the stomach flu, but after finding him the next morning doubled over in pain, not able to stand up, we later found that it would become something far worst. The month that it took several doctors many, many blood tests, ultrsounds, mri's, extremely scary "could be's", one of them being Leukemia, the list goes on and on of the diseases I heard, was very difficult.

Finally after that month and being transferred to a specialist and undergoing a liver biopsy we finally had a diagnosis.

This past year has been a difficult one, for him and the family. He was on high dosages of med's to suppress his immune system so that his liver could heal. He also had his blood drawn every two weeks. Can you imagine having to go in and have them jab that needle in the center of your arm every two weeks for a whole year? He is a strong child and never once complained about a thing.
Today, with medicine that he will take for the rest of his life, his liver functions normally. We are thankful for today's technology, doctor's knowledge and medicine. 

Little Morgan Haskell, diagnosed with Leukemia was put upon my heart. I felt so much compassion for her mother and her family. I knew exactly what they were going through for I have walked in those steps far too many times. I wanted and needed to do something for them. I wanted to somehow cushion if even in the slightest bit, those steps.

Morgan, 7 years old, diagnosed with Leukemia

I decided to do a fundraiser/rummage sale on May 14th. I've been collecting garage/estate sale leftovers and made flyers that I've posted around town asking for donations. I've contacted local business and asked for contributions towards this effort in providing money towards their medical expenses.

It's not only about giving them money. But showing them that SO MANY people CARE about the suffering they are walking through right now.

It makes me feel good to do this for them. Something positive has to come from my losses and grief. From grief comes compassion for others, the compassion of truly understanding what another is going through and providing love, understanding and support in any way possible.