Don't Take Your Life for Granted

I was searching around on Youtube, and I came across two groups of videos. They were prime examples of what good and bad parenting looked like. I never thought my life was horrible, even for a bit. Although our family has had its ups and downs, never thought it was down right horrible. But after watching these videos, I know I can never EVER complain that 'life is unfair' 'life sucks', because I don't have the right to, especially when compared to these two girls.

Both videos were Oprah interviews, and the first set of videos was about the Girl in a Cage (Watch the video at this link). Chelsea Rogers was brought up in a home whom did not treat her well. Her brothers were physically abused, and she was locked in a cage for most of her life.I personally do not know alot about her story, but I think what I was most amazed by was how she was able to step away from her past, and continue on with her life. She didn't mope  on her past, and she didn't  put the blame on herself. Her parents were not role models in anyway, but she has pledged to become a role model for her child right now.

Second video is of a Girl with Schizophrenia. In the video she was only 7, and it told of the tales of how she started off life, then moving on to how she was diagnosed, and how her parents live now with her and her baby brother. Her parents has endless love for her. She could have easily been sent off to an institute, and they could have selfishly lived a 'perfect' life with their baby boy. But they opted to keep her, because she was part of their family. It broke my heart to hear the father talk about their efforts to keep her alive, how one happy day is worth all the hard work they have to put into it, and the fact that the father and mother don't get to see each other as often. On top of taking care of the two children, the father is a college professor, and both parents are just simply exhausted from taking care of her. In order to keep the baby brother safe from sudden outbursts, they live in separate apartments in the same complex, and one parent would take care of one child. See her in her own world with all her imaginary friends was just so different. It made me wonder what was actually happening inside of her head. And how frustrating it must be to hear all those voices at once. According to the Youtube channel her parents have established, they are finally together again, in one apartment.

I just wanted to highlight these stories for those who read my blog, or just for my own future reference. I pray that God will continue to be with the two families. May he continue to heal and be with Jani and her family as they continue to face difficulties that will lie ahead. May God continue to give the parents wisdom to juggle in giving the baby brother a normal life, and that the two of them may also live a more normal life. And as for Chelsea, may God continue to protect her in her years ahead as she is bringing up her own child, and may she come to forgive her parents for all those horrible things they have done. It may be hard for her, but God has forgiving us for our sins.