Gratitude for Real

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Betsy_McGuire]Betsy McGuire
I was on my way to a medical clinic to get a blood test - something very basic and nothing at all to be concerned about. It was one of those days - the good kind; traffic was light, my favorite songs were coming on the radio one by one, the first parking spot was open for me on a rainy day. By the time I got to the clinic, my heart was light and there was a smile on my face. Happily, I bounced up the stairs to the lab, but as soon as I turned the corner, I could see a very disturbing scene. I girl about my daughter's age, dressed in pajamas, sitting quietly in the lab's waiting area and crying. Her mother had her arms around her, stroking her hair, and saying comforting things to her. I checked in at the desk and took a seat across from the pair. At first I had to force myself not to look at them to take in the whole scene, but after a while I physically turned my body so I didn't have to witness it anymore. It was all too easy to imagine my daughter's face on that girl and my arms consoling her. My mind wandered to horrible places of what was wrong with this girl. How did she end up at this lab crying in her pajamas? I was happy to be called back within a few minutes, though I'll admit to feeling guilty for being taken first. I was hoping the girl would get called as soon as possible so that her pain might go away sooner. I was in and out within minutes. As I passed through the waiting area on my way out, I forced myself to turn away from the mother and daughter, though I knew they were still there.
On my way home I cried and prayed for comfort for the girl and her mother. I then said a very long prayer of gratitude for my two healthy, energetic kids. It was then that I realized that this encounter, for me, was not about wallowing in sadness for this stranger girl. Just the opposite, this encounter was to remind me to never take my children and their health for granted and to feel the joy of them everyday. I would say I express gratitude for my family on most days, but admittedly it's sometimes just a habit - just words. This day, I felt the gratitude in the very depth of my soul. I felt true, honest gratitude. It wasn't lip service, it was soul service. That little girl taught me that lesson in just a brief minute and I'm so grateful to her. I hope she gets better soon. She doesn't know it, but she was a great teacher today.
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