Gratitude

 The last few weeks have made me really realise the true meaning of gratitude, friendship and community like never before. Three weeks ago, my daughter was admitted to hospital with a serious and potentially life threatening illness, which meant a stay at the children's hospital for herself and me. Obviously it was a stressful and challenging time and to add to the problems, both sets of grandparents were overseas! 

However, as soon as our school community found out what was happening, they rallied around us in a way that I probably thought didn't exist anymore. Freshly cooked meals were delivered to me in the hospital, since I was staying there 24 hours a day. Little friends came to visit and cheer up the patient with treats, stories and hugs, as did here teacher. A stockpile of fresh and frozen meals were waiting for us when we came home so I didn't have to worry about cooking. Even my son's school community rallied around with a gift basket for both my daughter and my son, together with offers of help and support.

I truly cannot describe to you how all of this makes you feel when life feels like it is spiralling out of control. Modern life is busy, we all know that, but all of these friends found time in their already jam packed days to lend a hand, and I will be forever grateful. When you watch the news, listen to the radio, pick up a paper, it is so easy to think that society and community are disappearing, crumbling away as the frantic pace we all seem to try and keep up with runs ever faster. But I am here to tell you that is not the case, not at all. Community does exist, it is just waiting for its moment to shine like a blazing ray of sunshine on a stormy day.
So a huge, huge thank you to my friends at both my children's schools. My words truly cannot come close to how grateful I feel, and how thankful I am that I have all of you in our lives.

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