Lucky

Dear Henry,

Today, I thought about being lucky.

I know a family, and their daughter has a rare, genetic, fatal disease. She is two years old, and she is dying.

I don't know how her parents do it. I don't know how they get up every day knowing that today could be the last day they spend with her. I don't know how they take care of her medical needs, knowing that all they can really do is make her comfortable. I don't know how they do it with grace, but they do. They inspire me, but I'm glad I'm not in their position.

So I was thinking about this family, and I realized that we are so, so lucky. Our problems are small and petty. You are perfect and healthy.

I realized that things could change for us in an instant, just like it did for that other family. So today, I felt lucky. Lucky to have the time to spend with you, lucky that we could enjoy each other, lucky that you are you. When you fell down and cried, I felt lucky that you could run. When you took all your pajamas out of your dresser, I felt lucky that you are so curious. And when I held you before you went to bed, I felt so very, very lucky to have you in my life.

I should feel lucky more often