The last time I listened to this song was when I was writing my essay about the impact MS had on our family. I can remember vividly sitting in the kitchen, having made chicken soup after my blizzard photography walk, and talking with Dianne about what I should study at Anderson. Dad was watching his movie, the oh so famous “Smoky and the Bandit” and the kitchen was filling with the smell of coffee brewing.
I remember sitting back in the chair, staring at the blank word document, not knowing where to even begin. I could have written the ‘my childhood/teenage years’ were taken from me essay, which would not have been true. I could have written a ‘tear-jerker, pull at the heartstrings’ type of essay, which let’s face it would have been easy. But instead I wrote about how MS blessed my family.
Of course you are probably thinking I am probably insane. MS… Multiple Sclerosis… that neurological disease which at any random moment can turn your world upside down. That? A blessing?
I did not find any blessing in the way it debilitated my dad or how quickly our lives were changed over the years. However, the blessings I did see which this disease helped reveal I do appreciate. The many ways God provided for my family, how we could feel His presence surrounding us during the darkest moments. I appreciate the many memories I have with my dad, the memories I have with mum during the nursing home episodes, the very early morning ER trips and the ZERO candy bar I can still remember getting from the vending machine to help us stay awake for when we could go to dad’s room. So much happened in that span of time, and through it a lot of blessings came about and I know deep down that God had/has his hand on my family.
So no matter what happens in life, everything will be okay. It will be okay, because I know without a shadow of a doubt that my God is with us. He is, and peace passes all understanding.
Over the years I have learned that life has its many good and bad moments, but if we continue to focus on the bad, life just doesn’t seem worth it. The miracle of life is getting to live it and knowing that everyday is precious makes me want to focus and seek out the good that comes about each day.
MS may have brought about hard times, but loving my dad was never a hardship, and to love and be loved is a true blessing
