Saturday, March 15, 2008

Guilty Again...

One of my all time favorite girls from last year told me last week that her 'mom' is "very sick again because her body doesn't like the chemo that the doctor is making her take." WOW, I said, "I guess you need extra hugs today." To which she said, "no, we're OK. She's used to it."

The next day... another student's dad died on the way to the hospital. He was shot the night before from 2 gunshot wounds fired when he answered his front door.

The amazing thing... these kids just come to school the next day... as if it's just another day-- because in their world, it's just another day. It's not a novelty to have this kind of drama unfold in their lives, it's all they've ever known. I was struck yesterday by the fact that they don't even know to expect something different, something better for themselves... UNBELIEVABLE.

And then I go home across town to my relatively 'perfect life'... and feel very guilty that I'm as blessed as I am-- and pray I'll be more thankful and content for all that I'm blessed with!

2 comments:

Jenny said...

Yes, Rachel. I get it. There are pretty many kids at my girls' school who have crack head parents or the dad or mom is in jail, and it's so common for them. I felt really naive when Chloe started school and I would hear stories about the way other families live. I thought it was just on HBO...not real life. And then it makes my problems feel so trivial.

Bad Momma said...

That is so sad. I have a hard time hearing stories like that. Sometimes we forget how lucky we are.