A New Perspective

We've all had moments in life that touch us deeply and make us take a close look at how we walk through life. Usually after a tragedy we all tell ourselves we're going to be different, we're going to enjoy everyday and try not to complain, but how long does that usually last? As many of you know, Doug and Laura McDonald were in a very bad car accident over the weekend, and while they seem to be continually doing better, they both have a very long road ahead of them. Last night a few of us went to the hospital hoping to get to see them, but was unable to. Instead, we sat in the trauma ICU waiting room with the families and just let them talk about whatever they wanted to. While we were there Doug was breathing on his own and they were able to put a feeding tube in, which they said was a good sign. And I heard different answers to whether or not he had opened his eyes, so I'm not sure about that. There's still nothing the doctor's could really tell the families about what will happen with him since brain injuries are so unpredictable. Laura has been able to respond via blinking and she can move her fingers and toes. I think they were going to start surgery on her broken legs today...she had broke both legs and arms, her pelvic bone and 3 ribs. Sitting with her mom last night I just kept thinking about what must be going through her head. That's her baby laying in that hospital bed, and my mind kept wondering back to Bailey. And then Laura, being separated from her husband, and while they have told her that he is getting better, I don't know if she really knows what happened, and if not, it's probably for the best. When me and Nick first heard what had happened, we just stood in the kitchen crying together holding Bailey in between us. Karen, Laura's mom, said something last night that I will never forget. She said she had had a long talk with herself that day, and after all of this was said and done she was never going to complain about anything in her life again. Because in a matter of about two seconds her whole life had changed and everything she had complained about before seemed so trivial. I really took that to heart, and thought about all the times I complain about things in my life. My friends have all heard me talk about my "one day" list. I'm always saying that maybe one day we'll make more money, one day we'll have a bigger house, and on and on. When really, I have a great life right now! We have a roof over our heads, I have a loving husband and amazing daughter, great friends and family who would do anything for us and we both have jobs that we love. So I have decided that from now on, I am going to try my hardest to be thankful for all the blessings that God has given me and just try to take life day by day.