unique

Unique

by Betty Jo Hilger

You can lead a child to water.

You cannot make him drink.

You can show a child a book.

You cannot make him think.

You can present reality.

You can't make him agree.

You can hope

and you can pray.

You cannot make him see.

Independence has a price.

Decisions bear a key.

Choices are expensive.

Freedom isn't free.

Living is a journey,

taken on your own.

Experience, the fruit of soul,

its sweetness,

yet,

unknown.

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Many times, as I have continued to struggle and learn, as I have questioned and reflected, and as I

have grown in understanding, I have come to conclude that I am very blessed in my children. No

matter the challenges we and they face in life, every child is a precious, unique individual.

I would not give up either of my children for a Normal, Healthy child.

I can imagine that life would be less stressful. Possibly, life would be more peaceful, and even happier.

However, this is only speculation. I firmly believe that when we have to struggle with our children through

immensely painful and difficult times, we are blessed with a comparable level of joy, and the ability to

understand just how precious the good moments are. I am so much more aware of every tiny step of progress

and success, and recognize it for the mountainous achievement it is, than I could ever have been if we had

not faced the challenges in our day to day dealing with their mental illnesses.

Life must be pretty boring when everything is normal.