It's the Little Things

Life is full of moments, both big and small, where we make decisions. Decisions about who we are and who we want to become. I have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people in my life, who influence and inspire me in many different ways.

Since moving to Long Beach I have met one woman in particular who has inspired me more than she will ever know. Her life has been full of trials, and yet she chooses to be happy, to serve, and to give back to everyone around her. Last year, she organized a toy drive for the Miller's Children's Hospital in honor of her son who passed away. 

The pediatric orthopedic surgeon that Phoenix saw was at Miller's Children's Hospital. We had a very good experience at their facility and were happy with the doctor & nurses, but the thing that stood out most to me was the child life specialist. As they removed Phoenix's temporary cast and replaced it with the permanent one, she engaged him with fun toys and kept his attention so that I could hold him still. It was such a small thing, but it was such a comfort to me to have him distracted for those moments, which was not something that I could have done on my own. 

That day, I found out from another friend, that the toy drive that was organized had donated the toys to the child life specialists at Miller's. I was so touched and so moved. I was a first hand recipient of the service that this mother had performed. It was a small thing, but I was so grateful. 

We live only 2 blocks away from the cemetery where he son is buried. That week, Phoenix and I stopped to pay our respects and to say thank you for this perfect soul, who continues to touch lives. I feel so blessed. Blessed to be surrounded by people who inspire me to be better. Blessed to know that families can be together forever.