After sitting in a long all day meeting I had to go to the funeral home. My friend's 7 month old grandbaby passed away yesterday. She had never been able to leave the hospital since she was born. They have driven 45 miles one way every day to spend a few hours with her. And then drove 45 miles home every night without her. She was learning to do things babies do. She was able to spend a few minutes each day in a swing or being held. She could only take a few ccs of a bottle at a time. She could make noises around her trach tube that sounded like hi. She was learning patty cake. She weighed only 9 pounds.

She got a form of pnemonia that she had already beaten once. This time her lungs weren't strong enough and the medicine couldn't help. She fought for 5 days but couldn't hang on. She didn't suffer because she was sedated. A type of sedation that left her temporarily paralyzed. No, she didn't suffer but her family sure has.

Her medical bills are over 1 billion dollars, unimaginable. Her funeral, $4500, unavoidable. Her absence, unbearable.

This has made me grateful for my healthy children. Sure, they have minor things ever now and again but it's all just part of life. They are growing up and doing so many things. I am so thankful to have had them in my life. I hope they continue to impact people in a positive way. I pray that they continue to live as Christians and stay strong in their faith.

I close this with a grateful but heavy heart.