Keeping the Tough Days in Perspective

Today has not been Little Sheep's best day.  She awoke too early this morning and has been struggling through her naps ever since.  She will get through one sleep cycle, and then will awaken and call for me.  I rush in and try to nurse her back to sleep.  In her swing.  While I rock it back and forth.

Interesting mental image, I'm sure.  Trust me, it's not my favorite thing to do in the run of my day.

Unfortunately so far I have not been successful.  Twice now she has gone back to sleep on her own, but only for a few brief moments.  It's trying.  I had intended for us to get together with our local playgroup, as well as spend some time reorganizing her room.  It hasn't worked out the way I'd planned.  Perhaps I should get used to that from hereon out.

As I was sitting on the couch, looking around at what little I have accomplished versus what I haven't, I started to think about a few other women I know of.  One is my friend Sandy, and the struggles she's had for years trying to conceive and/or adopt.  Another is a fellow mom-blogger, Jill Haskins of Fierce and Fiesty who lost her wonderful son Joshua last week to Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. 

I cannot imagine being either of these two women.  I have been blessed, unworthy as I am, with a beautiful baby, who I cannot imagine life without.  How is it that I deserve to be as lucky as I am, while others are not?

Thinking upon this, I wrote the following on Twitter (Twitter-esque writing maintained).

Here's how I try to look at it: 

The good days so dramstically outnumber the tough days

 that every now and then, a tough day is okay. (1/3)

I am immensely blessed & humbled to have 

Little Sheep in my life & that is worth more than 

any amount of housework, sleep, or me time. (2/3)

So on days like today, I forget the plans, obligations

and social-imposed rules and just do my best. 

Others arefar worse off than I. (3/3)

So the laundry might not get completely folded.  So supper might be microwaved.  So I might not get my teeth brushed til after Papa Sheppard gets home from work.  But that's okay for today.  And it will be okay for tomorrow too.  Or the rest of the week if need be.  I am willing to take on these "tough days" and smile through them.  God has blessed me so richly, and I can only pray that he showers others with "tough days" as well.

Side Note:  If you wish to support the Haskins Family, there is a link set up on Jill's site.  As well, I am sure words of encouragement, Scripture and prayers would be welcomed.  Please be kind -- this poor family has been through hell (and then some) in the past seven weeks.  They need all the help, love, and blessings they can have right now.