Gratitude for Everyday Blessings

by Heather Walgren

There is a care facility for severely handicapped children within the boundaries of my stake. Each Sunday members from at least one ward travel to this facility to bring primary to these children. Primary consists of an opening prayer, opening song, a short and simple lesson, singing time, a closing prayer, and then a walk. Volunteers make two or three trips outside pushing the children in their wheelchairs so that everyone gets an opportunity to have an outdoor adventure.

My mom happens to be one of the stake coordinators for this program. As a result, I get the opportunity to participate two to three Sundays every month. I must admit I haven’t participated as often as that, but something tells me I’m going to start visiting more often than I have.

Today I took a little boy out on a walk at the close of primary. This little boy is the only child in this facility who can have a conversation with another person. The other children can smile or make noises as they try to sing along during primary, but this boy is the only one that can articulate his feelings using words. I’m not sure what his medical condition is called. I do know he is wheelchair bound, and his legs are in constant pain.

As the little boy and I went on our walk he told me about how much he likes primary, singing and visitors. He also told me how much his legs hurt and how he wished someone would cut them off so he wouldn’t cry anymore. As we finished our walk I found myself making him two promises: I promised I would come visit more often, and I promised to tell the nurse that he wanted to go back to his room.

At this point my mom and I headed to church to catch the last block in our ward’s meetings. Upon entering the building we found our bishop walking the halls with his one-year-old daughter. As my mom spoke with the bishop I found myself watching the joy of the bishop’s little girl as she stepped on and off of the air vent and saw her dress puff out. It was obvious she was having a grand adventure.

At that moment I had an epiphany centered on gratitude. The bishop’s daughter found so much joy in just walking around and exploring. The little boy, who will never be able to walk around and explore on his own, found joy in primary, singing and having people visit him. Meanwhile, I have the ability to walk around and explore. I can speak, sing, visit people and have people visit me, but I don’t thank my God for these blessing on a regular basis.

Now, I do pretty well in the gratitude department for Big Blessings like an education, graduation, the gospel, a wonderful family and recently, a trip to England (to name just a few). But I think that I am guilty of taking some of the every day blessings in my life for granted. The ones like walking without pain, having shoes, being able to read, and speak, and having the opportunity to go to yard sales with my mom on a hot Saturday, even when I would much rather find an air conditioned building to visit. I am grateful for these every day blessings, and I need to do better at showing my gratitude for these things.

A few more thought on the subject. When Brigham Young was asked what the greatest challenge to the saints in the last days would be he answered that we would struggle with ingratitude. Also, when President Hinckley wrote to his father of his struggles while serving in England his father told him to forget himself and serve the Lord. I know not everyone has a care facility for severely handicapped children near by, but all of us are surrounded by numerous opportunities to serve others.

Show gratitude for the simple blessings in life by serving in simple, but meaningful, ways.