Have you ever had an unexpected experience that made you look at your life, even for just a split second and realize how blessed you are?

I call these "moments"

I had a "moment" on Saturday in the midst of absolute and total chaos. We were celebrating Wyatt's 7th birthday at Chuck E. Cheese.

Hudson was on the small carousel with a little boy in a blue sweater. I saw him from the back, and thought he was a little old to be on this younger kid ride, but thought nothing else of it. I secured Hudson on his little horse and away he went. As I waited on the other side looking through the lens of the camera, I caught a glimpse of the little boy sharing a ride with Hudson. He was Downs Syndrome; maybe 6 or 7 years old, and as happy as could be.

(This is a picture of the boy. I didn't take a picture of his face, because I knew the flash would bother him)
The ride continued to turn, and Hudson came around. I snapped a few pictures, and waved as he went by. Hudson waved back and yelled "hi mom"!

When the the little boy in the blue sweater came back around, I realized that that boy could have very easily been Hudson. We were told when I was pregnant that the chances were good Hudson could be Downs Syndrome.

Only by the Grace of God was he healthy.

In the midst of total and absolute chaos I had a "moment" of gratitude and thankfulness. I said a short prayer in my head thanking Heavenly Father for all of the blessings in my life.

Would I have loved Hudson less if he were Downs? No.

Would I have valued him any less if he were Downs? No.

Do I think that the parents of the little boy in the blue sweater are any less favored in the eyes of the Lord? No.

Infact quite the opposite. They must be a very special family to have been blessed with a child who does not have to fight the spiritual war most of us on earth do. They are the favored ones. They are the ones that have great lessons to learn from one who was sent to earth to gain a body and nothing else. They are blessed to have his righteousness in their home; and I am blessed to be able to raise a son, and teach him how to make righteous decisions.

These "moments" change my day. They make me see things a little clearer, and put the smaller things in life I tend to blow out of proportion into perspective.