Courage

Saturday, Joey, Owen and I attended a Make-A-Wish party for a friend's little girl. She was diagnosed with Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD). Essentially, this beautiful little girl developed normally until about age two, but since that time is rapidly losing control of most bodily functions and now needs to be held like a small baby. She does not have much longer to live. Her father held her lovingly, while children and parents played at Flips gym for her party.

Owen had a ball climbing, running, jumping and looking at his performance in the mirror. We were blessed by this incredible family, who has found happiness, peace and courage through adversity. This sweet girl, lying limp in her father's arms, smiled as the crowd sang Happy Birthday. She was touched, as we all were, by this simple song.

We were each given bracelets that said "courage" on them and the following quotes:

"Courage is not the lack of fear. It is acting in spite of it." - Mark Twain

"This is courage in a man; to bear unflinchingly what heaven sends." - Euripides