What makes YOU realize your blessings, even when life is hard?

Question

my daughter has been in the nicu in a hospital an hour away from home since monday. She was born on sunday, a month early. i have 3 kids at home and have been taking the drive back and forth to the hospital, staying with my baby, then coming home to be here for my other girls. very little sleep, very little money, lots of stress.
today i talked with 2 of the other nicu moms, i felt guilty for the blessings i have, because i dont apreciate them as much as i should...both of these women had thier babys at least 3 months early, one only wieghed 1 lb. 6 oz. they had both had a previouse stillbirth, neither had any other living children, and here i am, getting to take her home any day, with 3 other beuitiful children at home, and i'm completely wraped up in how much stuff is going on in my life. i am so much more fortunate than many others, i think by understanding that no matter how bad things are, someone else is or has suffered more...
what makes you appreciate your blessings more?

Answer 1

I think the same way you do..."Things could always be worse". Just keep telling yourself that God will never give you more than you can handle honey. Yes, it's tiring, yes it's stressful and yes, it has you wondering what you did to deserve the trauma in your life, don't dwell on that. Tomorrow when you wake up, name one thing you're thankful for. Do that everyday, make it a habit. In doing that, you'll never forget your blessings.

Answer 2

1)When I see homeless people looking through garbage dumpsters for food or shelter. I am dry and not starving.
2) The bombs dropping in the middles east. It is peaceful and quiet where I live. I don't have to hear air raid sirens and take cover.
3) Seeing! I am blessed with my sight.

My now 22 year old 6' tall son, was a 6lb 4oz premie. We were told he was not going to make it through the night. He was born 5 weeks early. His weight was really good but he had a collaped lung and contracted a strep B infection during the delivery. He spent three weeks in the NICU and was brought home the day before Thanksgiving of 1983. Three years later I did have a baby boy that died. That taught me the blessings of children and being patient with them.

Answer 3

Wow, it has been nearly 8 years since I had to deal with NICU guilt. My husband bonded better with the other parents. I couldn't look them in the eye. We all had babies in the NICU. But, my baby (born 8 wks early) was healthy. It was too hard to interact with mothers/fathers/grandparents dealing with other circumstances including full-term yet very sick new-borns. I couldn't acknowledge the littlest babies born up to 4 mos early.

I believe that in the worst of circumstances that most people count their blessings and hold close all those that are dear to them.

You meet other mothers who may have not experienced the same blessings you have. Go ahead, be appreciative of what you have. Understand that spending time with the other mothers may result in feelings of empathy.

Guilt is normal after a preemie. You have a responsibility to take care of you little baby, family, and yourself. You do need to acknowledge the negative feelings (guilt) as normal. Don't focus on them as something you need to correct.

Your baby doesn't care whether or not you feel blessed. She needs a strong, focused mother. She needs a mother who can focus on her needs, especially her needs as a premature baby.

Be strong.

Answer 4

That's a good question. What makes me count my blessings?
Knowing that it could always be worse. I went through several extremely difficult years in my life that took every bit of emotional strength and willpower to get through. One particular year, several years back was the worst year of my life, but I survived.
I think from going through so many trials and tribulations over the years, I can find a positive in almost any circumstance or situation. I'm very adaptable. It doesn't take much to please me.
I read somewhere that happiness is learning to like what you have, and not think that so many others have it so much better.
The fact that I have dealt with a lot of really difficult and painful experiences in my life has a lot to do with why I have learned to count my blessings. I'm sorry your going through a difficult time now. You will get through it. Pray to the Lord for comfort and guidance and strength and he will comfort you. God bless.

Answer 5

Well I think it is only human nature to get wrapped up in your life at times and lose sight of what we have in our lives so don't be too hard on yourself. Sometimes when I feel that way when I just turn on the news or a talk show or read a paper I begin to appreciate my own life more. I wish you the best of luck with the new baby!

Answer 6

The fact that I lived through a hard situation or the twinkle in my niece or nephew's eyes when I was asked to help out when I really didn't feel like. If you didn't experience the hard of life, you wouldn't the good even if it sat on your face. Its okay to complain because you want more our of life. Your human and those four children of yours one day will show you how special you are. My grandmother and mother gave me a piece of advice when I was 8 years old. I was complaining about the pressures in my life that were caused by things I didn't understand. When I questioned them and God, all three said in unison "Keep Livin! So I pass that on to you today. Hang in there because you and your kids are worth it. I wish you Godspeed.

Answer 7

Honestly, all it takes for me is a gorgeous sunrise (I'm on the road for work at 6:30 am) or sunset. The sound of my two teenagers laughing together can do it too! Just something from my ordinary, everyday life will suddenly strike me with gratitude for all that God has given me.

I'll say a prayer for you and your family. I hope your daughter has many long and happy years ahead!

Answer 8

Its the rough times in our lives that make us look back and realize how blessed we are. I look back at my failed marriage and how hard it was on me, but it made me the independent and strong person I am now, so it really was a blessing that I didn't recognize. Now that I am this new person I have met the man of my dreams. I would never have been ready for him without going through the bad times and maturing.

Answer 9

Most of the time it takes something bad to make you stop and think about your blessing, big or small! My sister has buried two of her children, Natasha died from complications at birth and then Nathan died from a rare blood disease at the age of 18! I didn't get to hold and love on Natasha but I did with Nate. You tend to look at things differently! Those 18 years with Nate are still in my mind and in my heart! He was a blessing, had something wrong with him and never did he complain! He was remarkable!

Answer 10

All i have to do is turn on the television and watch the news and I immediately am thankful for what I have. Thats when I appreciate my blessings more. Good luck with bringing your new bundle of joy home!