Sheila Sims Iding
I am blessed. I say it every day and I realize it every day. Maybe not to the extent I should, but I am aware. It’s easy for me to be aware because blessings are all around me. There was a time when blessings weren’t so obvious. There was a time when blessings seemed more like strangers than constant companions. There was a time when blessings were disguised. They were there but they were wrapped in challenges and I didn’t realize the gift of the blessing until I had unwrapped the adversity. Now on this Thanksgiving I am reminded all my blessings…especially the blessings in disguise.
Challenge: Grew up with a mom who was sick and an invalid.
Blessings within:
Got to be even closer to my dad who was both my mother and my father.
All my friends had moms who took them to lunch, helped them do their hair and watch them at dance class.
My dad and I shared things many fathers and daughters never get to share. Yes…he was my coach and taught me how to bunt (3 different ways) and how to slide and throw a change up but…he also
…curled my hair for church on Sundays.
…made birthday treats for me to take to school.
…and took me to the dime store to pick out my first bra.
I’m not sure what life would have been like with an “ordinary” mom, but I know I was blessed with a life with an extraordinary dad.
Challenge: Grew up poor because my dad couldn’t take any promotions with his insurance job (while taking care of my mom).
Blessings within:
Got to watch my dad care for my mom.
He bathed her, fed her and carried her when she was too stubborn to go in her wheelchair.
I didn’t know he was teaching me how to lovingly and eagerly care for chronically ill family members.
He was preparing me for my greatest parenting challenge/blessing and made me realize that being truly “rich” has nothing to do with money. I was rich. I was blessed.
Challenge: No dates in high school. No proms. No special someone.
Blessings within: Marrying the first guy I ever dated. He married the first girl he ever dated too. Realizing that God always knew we were meant to be together.
Challenge: I was hoping for 5 healthy daughters and God sent me 3 sons with special needs.
Blessing within:
Watching Joey fight CF through sports, nutrition and prayers has inspired me beyond measure. Courage is such a blessing.
Watching Tim carry two crosses of CF and Autism has shown me what great strength lies in unwavering faith. Unwavering faith is a constant blessing.
Watching Adam fight and beat a learning disability made me aware what wisdom lies within the unconventional learner. True determination is a blessing!
I am not sure what life would have been like with 5 daughters but I know I wouldn’t trade the blessings of these 3 sons. You get closer to a son when you sit by him in a hospital bed. You get closer to a son when you review flashcards just one more time at midnight. And you get closer to a son when you kneel next to him at adoration. True blessings.
Challenge: Dream of being a teacher not realized because of caring for my sons and their special needs at the time.
Blessings within:
16 years of being a teacher aide in the best school ever!
16 years of “student teaching” while waiting for my dream to come true.
Taking 16 years of ideas and dreams and making them a reality in Care Corner.
Being surround by amazing Care Corner Kids every single school day. (Every teacher should be so blessed.)
So some of the adversity in my life seemed to block the blessings that I had hoped and dreamed about but, on this Thanksgiving, I am aware that they were never challenges to overcome but blessings in disguise to help me realize what I should have known all along. I am blessed. Truly blessed.
Wishing everyone a happy, and a blessed, Thanksgiving.