November 21, 2008

the Underdogs

The other day T treated a 5-6 year old girl with 2nd degree burns over 30-35 % of her body.  Her name is Bon, and she has been in our prayers constantly.  The girl was close to our daughter's age and he said thoughts of her have been with him every since the incident.  Not only was this girl a victim of accidental burning but then the following day a 2 year old boy came in with a similar wound from 'sitting in boiling milk' (?!)  Maybe over a low cooking spot I assume.  T was much more prepared for this one.   Both burnings were probably due to neglect.  Both within a day of each other.  Neither child was with a parent when brought to the gates of the base.  

I can't help but think of another burn victim who's story I have been following along with thousands of other bloggers like myself.  Stephanie Neileson's case is a different one though.  She has the support of her family and the support of the bloggosphere.  I read an article about her that related her waking up experiences with her husband by her side cheering her on.  He had also been in the plane crash that caused her injuries and suffered less severe burning. But he  could help her, comfort her, let her know that he knew how it felt to wake up to this new and overwhelming truth.  His mother had been there for him when it was his waking up time.  Stephanie is a wonderful person who I am moved to tears about almost every day.  But there are lots of wonderful people.  Lots of victims.  Lots...

Who will be there for these poor Iraqi children?  Will they even get the kind of care they need?  Will it be enough?  How is it that some are blessed with so much and others are seemingly left uncared for?  I know that life is unfair and that things have a way of working out for everyone.  I just am sometimes left to wonder, and then I wonder what I will do about it.  I, who have been given much...

I believe that God has a plan for each of us.  That he loves us each individually and the same.  I had a loving mother who taught me this truth through her example.  When there was a less lovely, less popular, less designer-clad woman sitting alone in church, it was my mother who would seek this woman out in relief society and sit with her.  

I was present at my mother's side no doubt listening in to what was going on, when she told a peddler at the door that God loves us all.  He had been going door to door asking people for any kind of work to put money in his pocket.  He was Tongan I believe and had said something about not being as good as us.  My mother hugged him, and told him it wasn't so.  I will never forget that.  

Sometimes I get angry at the populars of the world who seem to have everything handed to them.  It's a problem I sometimes think I need to work on.  When I was a teenager and was cute but shy and didn't get too many dates (due to shyness and I think being labeled as stuck-up... not due to uncuteness btw), I had the horrible experience of being lined up on a blind date for my Jr prom.  My best friend was also lined up and we doubled.  The dates were relatives of my Mia Maid advisor from church.  They were handsome and a bit grabby.  When they saw who had been announced prom queen they also had the wonderful quality of asking us "Why her? she's not that great..."  What they didn't know was that she was popular by association with her big-deal family.  She was also very nice, but the big deal that was made about her was pretty overdone.  And still continues to this day... Do I sound bitter?  I just don't understand why we don't get that everyone is special in their own way.  We should be reaching out to the less-haves and giving less praise and attention to those who already have a lot going for them.  

When I told T that I had bought some expensive purses from and online auction benefitting the Nielsons he was okay with that, but he also pointed out to me that there are lots of burn victims out there without blogs who weren't big-deals beforehand.  "Wonder where their online auctions are being held at?" was his comment.  I knew there was a reason I loved this man so much.  Like my mother- he gets it.

3 comments:

Bob and Julie said...

I'm guilty of forgetting the important stuff....thanks for the reminder.

Eileen said...

Great post, Kelly. I have a hard time thinking about the Iraqi children. It's so sad.

Kelly said...

Thanks Julie and Eileen. Julie, I hardly think someone who has recently adopted a foster child should really accuse herself of forgetting the important stuff. Now you're just a liar...