The Things We Take For Granted
My son graduated high school this year. He is moderately autistic so he didn't go to a typical school.
At his graduation, there were 12 people graduating and 3 of them were transitioning out of high school at the age of 22.
My son didn’t get the typical high school diploma. It was more or less a certificate. It was a certificate that shows he completed school.
Near the end of his graduation, they pulled down a big screen and dimmed the lights.
Music started to play and pictures were displayed of each student.
The way my son's school showed the pictures was by showing the graduate student's name first then pictures of when they were babies to now young adults.
One Student's Pictures Showed How We Can Take Things For Granted
There was this girl and at first, her images didn’t have that feel like the rest of the images had.
Her images seemed pretty much like a typical student going to a regular school.
My first thought was, there must be a mistake because her life seemed pretty normal.
There was one picture where she was all dressed up for her prom.
She looked stunning. Everything from her hair, make-up, to her dress and shoes were on point.
The next image showed her in a wheelchair. For me I took it as how an illness changed her life.
I don’t think there was a dry eye at my son’s graduation after seeing someone’s life changed so drastically,
especially at a time in her life where she's supposed to begin her young indepedent life.
My Point Here
You know where this is leading, but I'm going to say it anyway.
Sometimes we forget how blessed we are with our lives.
We take what we have for granted and lose the sense of what we are capable of.
It doesn’t matter what age you are. And I get it that some of us may be dealing with a lot especially if someone suffers from any type of medical issues.
I’m writing this article because even though life can be tough and our cards are not dealt the way we want them, you have a precious tool and that is the capability to express your thoughts.
You Heard That Saying A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste
I’ve never had a those special conversation with my son.
He’s not able of communicating the way the majority of society can.
To give you an example, if he had a bad day, he can’t really express to me what happened and why.
It's all inside of his body and he really can't tell me why.
So as a mom, I do my best to try and figure it out.
I Don't Know What Got You Here, But You Got Here!
Everyone who joined Wealthy Affiliate is or was capable of looking through the lessons and able to make an informed decision on what they wanted to do.
Now that you are in here, you have an awesome platform to select a niche of your choice, build a website and from there, express your thoughts on your website.
It is quite awesome.
Don’t take what you are capable of for granted. Life is short and sometimes we need a light to shed some light on your blessings.
All the Best!
Recent Comments
21
Insightful post. A friend of mine has a grandson like your son so I understand.
I've always said that kids don't know or appreciate what they have yet the same can be said of most adults. I've traveled around a lot and I've seen kids that are grateful just to have a BALL. Sad really.
Having said this, your last paragraph strikes a cord regarding what we're capable of.
~Debbi
Very inspiring post Evelyn! You've reminded me to not sweat the small stuff and to be grateful that I have the ability to make my own decisions.
I have 3 brothers who graduated school, not one of them have the ability to read or write. Back then as long as you showed up for class, they would push you through to the next grade. Very sad.
That could have easily been me right with them. I thank God that he gave me the gift of being able to read and write. I can only imagine.
Thank you for sharing Evelyn and tell your son I congratulate him for graduating high school,
Hey Florencio, My brother played sports in high school and the teachers would just let him pass because he was really good at it.
My mom talked with school counselor and found out my brother's grades because as young kids we hid our grades from our parents, Lol.
My mom was so mad at the school when she found out my brother's grades. They just threw his education aside just to win some games, it's a shame. He is quite successful now, but my mom had to really be on him because of certain stigma society puts on people and especially males.
It must be tough not being able to read and write.I couldn't image life that way. There is so much value people can get by reading and writing. Thanks for sharing!
I agree Evelyn, I am fortunate to have been the only male who graduated and am able to read and write.
Have they tried learning how to read now? Do they call and ask for your help when they need something important read to them?
Unfortunately one of my brothers passed awhile ago. I've offered many times to help them try and learn how to read and write but they refused.
But I do read important paper work for them and if anything needs to be written I'll write it for them.
This is a very inspiring message to us all and we should count the blessings, not focus on what we have not.
Thank you for sharing
With Grace and Gratitude
Karen
Thank you for sharing Eveyln, a all have the gift of talents, when we discover them we should use them and try not to take them fit granted.
Thank you for sharing, Evelyn. You are so right about being grateful for what we have. Because it may be gone tomorrow.
One of my favorite sayings is:
"Love the people God puts into your life. Because one day he will want them back."
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Thank you dear you always shed some light for me to see things a little more clearer.
Hey Misty, You are so very welcome, thanks for your wonderful words. :)