At the end of what felt like another loooong week, while lamenting my tiredness (like no other person has known the level of tired I feel...), we went to David Grier's farewell party before his run of India. Man, if ever one needed a wake up call, this was one. How quickly I have forgotten not only all we have been through this year already, but how much other people are facing on a daily basis in their struggle to deal with life with an unrepaired cleft lip and / or palate. David showed a video of the operations done recently in Mozambique (187 repairs in one weekend!) and all I could do was sob! While I hope that Emily's recollection of her op will only be a picture we show her, I cannot imagine what those children (and adults!) go through every day. The gift that Miles for Smiles and Operation Smile gives them is immeasureable. Although, when you see how the joy radiates out of them once their clefts have been repaired, you know, that to them, it is very measureable and very real.
So, on that note, I was once again, brought back to reality, and to the realisation, that so many people take on so much to make these wonderful changes in other people's lives without ever complaining or asking for thanks. I need to suck it up, appreciated the miracle that is my amazing daughter, and concentrate on the joy! And, maybe, take some more vitamin B...
