Standing on my Soap Box

I was at a hockey tournament this weekend. The company I work for puts on this tournament, as a team building exercise, and asks for help from sponsors. All monies raised goes to charity. This year the charities chosen were South Eastman Health Mental health division, “Out of the Blue”, as well as Make a Wish foundation.

Out of the Blue is a regional public awareness and education program that aims to inspire and inform students and youth, residents, businesses and agencies in SE Manitoba. We want to get everyone involved in making positive mental health a priority, creating a new voice for mental health and mental illness in our region. (Taken directly from their site)

The other organization they choose was Make a Wish foundation. They “grant wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with Hope, Strength and Joy”

This last organization is the one I want to focus on for this blog. Please know that I do not see one as more deserving than the other, but my perspective was challenged last night as we saw the face of disease through a child.

Mackenzie is approximately 11 years old or so, and she was diagnosed with a stage 4 cancerous tumour in her brain. This was a tumour that the doctors had never experienced before. I was at the front door receiving people, and I heard that the family was coming to our wind up event, but they did not know if Mackenzie would be able to make it as she wasn’t feeling well.

She was able to make it out, and she made me take a look inside and see what was important to me. Here was a little girl, and she had no hair. Just that morning I put my fine hair in a pony tail for the first time in a long time, I wished it was thicker, and longer,  and was concerned about fly away hair coming out during the day. Good grief, Sheila, you need to get a grip on what’s important.

Perspective. This little girl is happy, and she is fighting for her life. Some days I get crabby for stupid little things. I am not fighting for my life because of my health. Instead I ignore my health, take it for granted.

When you think about the things you want, or you “have to have”, think about this little girl who is fighting to stay alive. She wants her health. She wants to make it to High School. She wants to make it to her grade 12 Graduation, to her University Graduation. Lord willing she will.

Why am I telling you this on my soap box? I hope to change your perspective. “Stuff” won’t make you happy. Once you have gotten that item that you wanted so desperately, the novelty wears off and you are on to the next item of desire. Don’t take your health for granted. Don’t take your family for granted.