Samuel

Last night, my wife Marie and I went to visit the family of a boy she used to treat. Marie is an Pediatric Occupational Therapist. Samuel is the boy she used to treat. When Samuel was a baby, he had to have a surgery on his heart. During the surgery, something went wrong and oxygen flow to his brain was cut off, causing permanent brain damage. Now 7, Samuel does not speak, except for an occasional "mamaaa" or walk. This is not meant to depress you, because the people in that house (Samuel, his mom, his dad and two big sisters) are far from depressed.
Marie has been going to see Samuel every year around Christmas to visit the family. this was my third time seeing them. Last might we went back to bring them some supplements that could help Samuel. this time, I was more impressed than ever before. this family is full of love. His mother cares for him around the clock, and gives him 100% attention and love. And yet, there is no resentment with his sisters. Anyone can see how much they love this boy and each other.
I will be a father one day soon and I absolutely want my children to be strong, healthy, independent and able to run and play. No doubt, Samuel's family wanted the same. They certainly didn't expect what happened. And, no doubt, they would not trade him for the smartest, strongest, healthiest, most talented boy on the planet(with a billion dollars in his pocket).
I realized that they don't just love Samuel because he is family, they love him because he is Samuel. The lesson this family taught me is to show love to my family, friends, and everyone simply because they are who they are, no matter what that may be.