Hard Things

The month before our girl/boy twins would turn one year old, our daughter became very ill. She, who naturally was very active (my sister even said she was my dancer while Lis was yet in the womb), became listless & would lie down for hours at a time. By the end of the week, my concern consumed me, and I took our sick little baby to the doctor.

After checking her oxygen levels & giving her two nebulizer treatments, the doctor put our little girl on oxygen & called an ambulence to transport her to the hospital.

She was admitted immediately & diagnosed with a collapsed lung, pneumonia, and RSV. She didn’t fight the doctor or nurses who cared for her and performed various uncomfortable tests because of her weakened condition. Before the end of that day, her twin brother was also admitted with similar, though less severe, symptoms.

As I sat in these hospital rooms, going back and forth to nurse and comfort our babies, with my dear husband caring for them in turn, and with family & friends supporting & aiding with our older three children, I still felt troubled. I had nursed my twins, as difficult as that had been, to give them nutrients & vitamins…I had kept them home most of the time out of germs, only attending church…I was doing all I thought I could do. Why was this happening to me? I was just about to close a chapter on one of the most difficult years of my life, and now this?

Through much prayer & faith & persevering through a tough five days, both twins were released to go home with a stronger, better mother. I reached new levels of understanding where I would have been quick to judge before on the weaknesses of others. I had greater gratitude for family & friends who took care of the other details of my life so I could take care of my babies.

As I look back on that time each year about now, I feel grateful…grateful for lessons I’ve learned, grateful for the gift of life, & grateful we will be celebrating their fifth birthdays soon. I also think of a quotation from Elaine Dalton which I admire. She once said, “I can do hard things.”

We can all do hard things. If we will allow, these “hard things” can teach us and refine our character; they can build us where we are weak and strengthen us to be prepared for even greater experiences. With the help of heaven and those around us, we can do all things we are given.

What hard things have you experienced? What have you learned? What will you experience this year to build your character and understanding?