The Things We Take for Granted

Just getting over this pertussis or "whooping cough" sickness. A little over three weeks ago I first caught it as it was making the rounds in our family. Never can I remember having any sickness as long-lasting or as hard-hitting as this one. For at least two weeks I was so drained of energy that I couldn't even go up a flight of stairs without pausing half-way up and panting as if I had just come back from a jog. At first I was able to push through and continue working, but it got to the point where I did not even have the energy to lift my arm to wipe something down. One day in the middle of this sickness I attempted to do a small job for a friend, but not even an hour into it I felt like I was going to pass out from the tiny bit of exertion that I was doing. I ended up being able to finish the job only by doing most of the work sitting on the floor and taking frequent breathing spells in between.
  Now, finally starting to get my strength back (and my head! This sickness taxes you not only physically, but mentally as well!), I start to feel the joy of once more being able to work, eat, sleep... things that we just take for granted so much of the time. How many people are never able to enjoy the things that we enjoy every day due to a disability or lifelong illness that impairs their strength either physically or mentally, or both. I think the saying is true that you never appreciate something as much as when it is taken away from you.

  Thank you, God, for the ability to work, eat, sleep, and enjoy life.

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