Adversity

As children, most of us are protected and nurtured by our parents; we are often sheltered from the sufferings of others.  I was.  I'm doing things a little differently as I raise Camryn.  Of course I still want to protect her from the evil in this world.  But I believe it's imperative that she begin learning now that not everyone has it as good as she does.  A psychologist once told me that children with parents or siblings with disabilities or illnesses often develop into more empathetic, compassionate adults.  I had been horrified of what my 3 year old had seen and would see in her coming years.  At the time, I thought my disease would ruin her. It never dawned on me that it would be the exact opposite. As we grow and thrive as children, we are bound to face some sort of discomfort, no matter how much our parents would love to protect us from it. For most of us, this is the beginning process of learning how to cope with adversity.
As we age, the adversities can sometimes hit us like a ton of bricks, crushing even the strongest and the fittest.  Adversity can be small and make us feel uncomfortable for moments, days, weeks, months or even years, and for some people they seem to have a lifetime of hardships and battles which they must endure.

How we deal with adversity will determine how it will affect our lives and the lives of others.  Even as children we can learn from experience in order not only to help ourselves, but to use our own pain and sufferings to help people when they are going through what we may have already endured.  Learning to care for others through empathy will greatly reduce their suffering because you will know how to help them and comfort them through your own life's experience.  I've learned this first hand. I now pay such close attention to anyone who may be struggling, young or old.  Three out of the last 4 summers, I have been nearly unable to care for myself.  The dizziness and inability to control even my own eyeballs was, for me, the height of adversity.  Although I recovered from my relapses, I am left with residual permanent damage.  And knowing it can and will happen again is so discouraging.  I just wish I could get better, fully, without having to worry about this disease every single day of my life.  But it could be worse.  I came across a blog of a woman who lost her 4 year old daughter in a car accident.  What she writes about will rip your heart out, especially if you have children.  It's painful to go without see Camryn for a few days, much less never seeing her again.  I thank God that he let me get MS instead of losing my child.  I don't think I could survive that.  
I long for a carefree life.  But is that what God intended for us?  Or does He want us to know the depths of adversity, empathy and compassion.  We can't fully help carry someone's burdens unless we've been through it ourselves.  Without MS, I'd probably still be focused only on my own family...with no regard of the trials that so many people go through every day.  Right now, hospitals are full of people suffering.  I know first hand because I was one of them several times.  Now when I drive by a hospital, I am painfully aware of what's going on inside. I'm trying to teach all of this to Camryn.  That life isn't always fair...that adversity WILL be a part of her life, so she better get ready now.  I don't want it to catch her by surprise like it did me.  


On a happier note, we are all off to Disney World tomorrow for 8 days!!  I just pray I can endure the heat and walking.  But it's a challenge I'm willing to take on.  I can't wait to see the looks on Mark and Camryn's faces!!