Teach us to number our days...
In recent months, I have been following the blog of Emily Rapp. Her son, Ronan, is not quite two and was born with Tay-Sachs Disease - another genetic disease that is fatal with no known cure. On Thursday, she posted a poem that let her readers know Ronan was near death.
This morning, while reading in Psalms, one verse leapt out at me: "Psalms 90:12 - "So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom." Emily treasures every moment with Ronan and seems to always fully embrace the knowledge that her days with him are numbered. Sobering to think that some days we might miss the opportunity to love or live because we don't "number our days."
It can be sad, and often is, to think that your child is slowly dying. That knowledge also forces a parent to number the days - to be wise about the way we live and what we do with our time, and how we view the hours we spend with our family and friends.
This last week, we attended our first Northwest Arkansas Huntington's support group. There were eight of us there: Two professionals familiar with HD, and six of us either struggling with HD ourselves, or caring for a family member with the disease. Everyone was numbering the days, and living to the fullest despite a disease that robs sufferers of a full life. There were tears and sadness at what was lost, but a lot of thankfulness for what still remained and could be cherished.
I am thankful for each day I spend with Lacy. I cherish the time I am able to make him happy, or just sit in companionable silence. Times with family and friends are savored. All our days are numbered, and it is wise to remember that and live accordingly.
This morning, while reading in Psalms, one verse leapt out at me: "Psalms 90:12 - "So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom." Emily treasures every moment with Ronan and seems to always fully embrace the knowledge that her days with him are numbered. Sobering to think that some days we might miss the opportunity to love or live because we don't "number our days."
It can be sad, and often is, to think that your child is slowly dying. That knowledge also forces a parent to number the days - to be wise about the way we live and what we do with our time, and how we view the hours we spend with our family and friends.
This last week, we attended our first Northwest Arkansas Huntington's support group. There were eight of us there: Two professionals familiar with HD, and six of us either struggling with HD ourselves, or caring for a family member with the disease. Everyone was numbering the days, and living to the fullest despite a disease that robs sufferers of a full life. There were tears and sadness at what was lost, but a lot of thankfulness for what still remained and could be cherished.
I am thankful for each day I spend with Lacy. I cherish the time I am able to make him happy, or just sit in companionable silence. Times with family and friends are savored. All our days are numbered, and it is wise to remember that and live accordingly.
Eloquent reminder of our human condition. Each day is a wonderful gift and we all have that condition of mortality.
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