Friday, March 11, 2011

An attitude of gratitude

My brother-in-law (or as I used to call him when he would tickle-torture me, 'the big brother I never wanted') was moved to a rehab hospital yesterday.  He is still in a lot of pain from three surgeries and many broken bones, but he is making progress.  My sister is doing great and is so thankful.  Every day she focuses on something different.  One day she spent the whole day being thankful that his arms weren't broken.  When people would comment about how terrible the accident was, she would say, "Yes it was, but we are so thankful that he can use his arms!"  The day after his third surgery they were both thankful that Marc could drink whatever he wanted.  This morning she was thankful that at the rehab hospital the nurses don't come in at night to take your vital signs so they were able to sleep.
She is thankful for someone volunteering to build a ramp at their house.  She is thankful for the gift cards people have given her so that she doesn't have to cook.  She is thankful that the new hospital is close to home.  She is thankful that our mom did her laundry.  She is thankful for an understanding principal at the school where she teaches.  She is thankful for the snacks that friends have brought her.  She is thankful that her husband is alive!
She could be very angry.  She could be asking why this happened.  She could be depressed.  Instead, she has chosen to be thankful for what she has.  She has chosen to see the good instead of focusing on the bad.  She has chosen the better way.

2 comments:

Reba said...

Wow. Thank you for sharing that. I think we all need to be reminded of that! May God bless them both and bring healing!

Unknown said...

Praising God with you and praying for continued healing.