Patience Is A Virtue

       While my DD's and I were out enjoying the nice weather and the sights in the town we have called home for the last four years, we came upon some local wildlife. We saw a mallard duck, a white goose and a Canadian goose that were hanging around a small pond. As we walked around the pond, we saw several others out enjoying the day as we were. We also saw a few small children running around after the birds trying to feed them the bread and crackers that they had.
      It didn't matter that they were running after then calling, "ducky, ducky!" the birds just kept on running faster and some even flew to the center of the pond. As the children threw the break and crackers into the water they learned that the birds would come closer to them. The second they tried to get closer to the "duckies", their actions itself scared the birds. It didn't matter that they had food for them and it didn't matter that all they wanted to do was pet the them. They felt threatened by the innocent excitement of the children.
      As my children and I were finishing up with our "drawing trip", we noticed the birds were still hanging around and there were some new children feeding them. As the children dispersed and we got closer to them, one mother gave my DD's a piece of bread to feed them. My DD #2 sat down and with the bread pieces in her hand sat quietly without moving. Her determination to hand feed this one Canadian Goose paid off after over 5 minutes of this. As you can see in the picture above, the goose is eating out of her hand.
      My girls learned a valuable lesson here, that you need to be determined in what you want and don't give up on it. They also learned that patience and control of your own body can get you ahead of others who are quick to the punch. Seeing her sitting there for that amount of time, determined to feed that goose, solidified my own thoughts regarding the importance of controlling your own actions to reach your goal in life or what ever your situation you are in.
      The same can go for situations involving people with MI. When you keep your cool and your voice at a steady tone and volume, situations can be defused. It may not happen the first time you try it or even the second time but it will eventually happen. We need to have the determination I saw in my DD #2 that day. When I finally got this message through my head it still took years for this to be able to happen with success. I have to admit that it doesn't always work but it has worked more then half the time. I just have to keep on trying and praying that God gives me the strength to continue to keep that peace inside me to be able to handle my children and what they bring into our home.
       It has not been an easy road and it isn't over yet. This is a life long journey that we have just like every other parent out there. Our issues with our children do not end when they graduate High School nor will the MI be gone once they are adults. In many cases, the issues get worse as adults, not because of the MI itself but because as adult we can no longer force our children/loved ones to take the much needed medication. I pray that the Lord gives each and everyone of us the ability and strength to preserver and come out on the other side as "achievers".