Don’t Worry, Be Happy
[Guest post by DRJ]
The furor and desperation from both sides over this election reminds me of sitting in the pediatrician’s office.
I sat in the pediatrician’s office at least once every other week for twelve years with a chronically ill child. You learn a lot about people at the pediatrician’s office and what I learned is that most parents melt at the thought their children will experience discomfort. Having a sick child, especially one with a serious illness, leaves most parents overwhelmed.
I’m not saying this to be mean because I include myself in this description and for most parents it gets easier with time or if we have additional children. One way or another, most parents learn that raising children may not be easy but it’s not impossible. Kids can be resilient and none of us are perfect. It’s enough to pay attention, ask questions, and do our best.
It’s a tense political time as we get down to the final weeks in this election. Participating in politics and government is a little like sitting in the pediatrician’s office. Sometimes it feels like there isn’t much we can do. In addition, the candidates don’t come from Central Casting and government will never be perfect.
Our job as voters is to pay attention, ask questions, and do our best, and I think we’re up to the challenge. Maybe it’s also a good time to remember none of us has to be perfect. So whichever side you support, take a few moments each day to step back, stop worrying, and be happy.
— DRJ
Hey, you hit what makes parenting a challenge right on the head. My girls are 21 & 25 and I still worry all the time. I don’t think it ever ends.
When my problems seem like too much, I take a moment to remember what I’m grateful for. That lifts my spirits.
Quaking Conservative (89e11d) — 9/2/2008 @ 1:17 pmWhy worry, QC?
I mean, they ARE still locked in their rooms, grounded till they are 55, right?
Scott Jacobs (a1c284) — 9/2/2008 @ 1:20 pmbeing a RN, I was sort of smugly confident as I sheparded my four sons through their childhood illnesses. To be sure I was a little fearful when #3 was born and spent sometime in NICU, or when #2 had his appendix out, but I was confident that all would be alright, if I could just get them to adulthood.
Paul from FL (4dd8c4) — 9/2/2008 @ 1:58 pmAnd then my 25 year old #2 Son went to Iraq with the Marines as a Corpsman, cuz I was a Corpsman years before.
It was then I learned what abject terror is.
He is now home and in college, I thank G-d everyday as I drive to Work at the VA hospital.
Point being, sometimes there is no sitting back and relaxing…regardless of which yahoo we elect.
I know where you are coming from DRJ. My almost 18-year-old daughter is special needs. She has a developmental delay, epilepsy, a moderate hearing impairment, and in the last two years was also diagnosed with lupus.
God doesn’t punish us with Special Needs children, he gives them to special parents that he knows can handle it.
kimsch (2ce939) — 9/2/2008 @ 1:59 pmDRJ…
Good post, but…
“…remember none of us
has tocan be perfect…”Thought that might tighten it up a bit…
Another Drew (dbf36d) — 9/2/2008 @ 2:08 pmI am raising a very challenging kid, who has been and will most likely again be in trouble. The thought that his actions could be posted on the internet because of my vocation makes me sick. No wonder it’s so hard to get good people into politics.
But, there are those moments, where you can indeed just kick back and be happy. I’m taking satisfaction in giving him the best chance for success he will have. Thanks.
carlitos (1b6c91) — 9/2/2008 @ 7:32 pm