For 36 days, our dear friends sat by their son’s hospital bed. Their son, who was born with multiple disabilities had been in and out of the hospital before during his 29 years, but this time he returned to his heavenly home and went to be with the Lord on October 30th. Our hearts and our prayers are so focused on this precious family right now. We wish we could help them in some way.
We know that many of you, who have a child with special needs, have spent time in and out of the hospital, because the reality is that many children who are physically or cognitively compromised are also medically fragile. It is difficult to see our children struggle with the limitations of a disability, but to watch them as they lay in a hospital bed in pain is well, torturous. Words are inadequate to explain this part of our parenting. It makes us want to say “Isn’t it enough that my child has a disability? Do they also have to be in pain?” How do we as parents make sense of this?
We cannot give you a quick answer to these questions. We think some answers we won’t be able to know this side of heaven. But what we would like to do in today’s blog is to acknowledge those parents who are now or have been sitting by their child’s hospital bed. We acknowledge how difficult this is and pray for God’s strength, peace and comfort to come to you when you need it.
We just celebrated Veterans Day and there was a lot of talk about heroes (and Veterans are indeed heroes). Parents who continually sacrifice for their children, sit tirelessly by their child’s hospital bed, and work so hard to find peace and hang on to their faith in the midst of horrendous circumstances, are also our heroes … and we honor you this day.
According to Google, the definition of a hero is “a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities”. We’re not sure that parents of special needs children ever feel idealized or even recognized. But we truly believe that God notices your courage and your noble qualities. God notices your commitment and the cost. He also grieves with you as you experience incredible loss. We believe that these parents are indeed outstanding and among the most brave and strongest people we know. So today, this blog would also like to recognize a different kind of hero—you!
