Unfaltering Gratitude

Today our ward/neighborhood is keeping Parker in their prayers and remembering him in their fasts. We absolutely believe in the power of prayer and are so grateful.

We are determined to find some answers to Parker’s not so great heart cath results.   We have more appointments coming up on Wednesday and we want to be prepared in every way possible.

I’m holding tight to this quote by Elder Richard G. Scott:

Father in Heaven knew that you would face challenges and be required to make some decisions that would be beyond your own ability to decide correctly. In His plan of happiness, He included a provision for you to receive help with such challenges and decisions during your mortal life. That assistance will come to you through the Holy Ghost as spiritual guidance. It is a power, beyond your own capability, that a loving Heavenly Father wants you to use consistently for your peace and happiness.

Assistance and guidance from the Holy Ghost is exactly what we are praying for.  Assistance in finding answers….and solutions…in regards to why Parker’s heart cath results were the total opposite of what we had been hoping for.

Elder Scott also relates this story:

President John Taylor wrote: “Joseph Smith, upwards of forty years ago, said to me: ‘Brother Taylor, you have received the Holy Ghost. Now follow the influence of that Spirit, and it will lead you into all truth, until by and by, it will become in you a principle of revelation.’ Then he told me never to arise in the morning without bowing before the Lord, and dedicating myself to him during that day.”

This is something I am continuing to work on.

Elder Scott also spoke to the importance of humility.  Simplicity.  When I think of humility I can’t help but also think of gratitude.

(If you want to read Elder Scott’s talk for yourself, you can find it here. I’ve read it so many times I think I pretty much have it memorized.

I wanted to share 10 things I am thankful for……10 things I never would even have had the opportunity to be thankful for…..unless I was the Mama of a medically fragile Hero with special needs.

10. I never imagined how strong I could be. Not that I’ve ever been a wimp. But I have had a tendency to kind of start out strong…..and then fizzle. But with Parker I’ve been more determined, focused, and purposeful than at any other time in my life.

9. Before Parker, I never fully grasped the fear that the possibility of losing a child can etch into a parent’s heart. I want to be steadfast in becoming more compassionate towards others going through their own special life assignments.

We make it through these kinds of adventures, by no small means, because of the love and support of those around us.

8. I no longer care much about what other people think, or keeping up with the Jones’, or a million other dumb things that bring so much stress into our lives. Keeping Parker going has changed how I look at the world, as well as what I value. There’s no longer any room for the superficial.

7. I’m thankful for the kind of Dad Reed is. He’s always been a very hands on Dad. A very loving Dad. But he’s cranked that up since Parker joined us. He adores Parker just the way he is. He must. The man puts in a lot of time sleeping on the floor of Parker’s safe room in order to make sure he’s right there in case Parker goes into distress.

6. I’m thankful for the opportunity to discover who my real friends are. One thing you learn quickly when you give birth to a medically fragile kid with special needs is who is real…….and who makes like gingerbread men and run away.

5. I’m thankful for the opportunity to grow closer to my Father in Heaven. Without faith in a loving Heavenly Father I would have taken that dive off the cliff long ago.

4. I’m thankful for how much I need Parker. Everyone always thinks Parker needs me. Nope. I need this kid way more than he’s ever needed me.

3. I’m thankful for the opportunity to ‘get it.’ Before when parents of kids with special needs would tell me how grateful for they were for their children, I’d wonder to myself….“Yeah, well, what else are they supposed to tell people?” But I get it now. The blessing of having a child with special needs is exactly that: a blessing.

And until you are actually the parent of a child with special needs, I’m not certain you ever truly ‘get it.’

2. I’m thankful for how my other 5 kids have all gathered around and supported Reed and I as we try to keep Parker here with us. I’m thankful for their sacrifice and for the love they show their littlest sibling each and every day.

1. I’m thankful for how being Parker’s Mama has required me to slow down and simplify my life. To renew my spirituality and strengthen my relationship with God. I’m thankful that I’m not the same person I was almost 5 years ago.

And I’m thankful for the person I have the potential to become all because I’m lucky enough to have a kid like Parker in my life.

Those of you who have joined with us in Praying for Parker………thank you.

What experiences have left you with great life lessons that you now give thanks for?

• Looking for Parker’s raffle?