When Benny was about four months old I got really sick. We were living in the UK and I was home with the boys, Jakob was about 2 then. Far away from family. By the time the doctors figured out that I had Mono and Pneumonia, I was already well. It was a pretty rough patch for me.

One night I had to stay in the hospital. I had never been away from Ben (and only ever one night away from Jakob, the night his brother was born). I was nursing and co sleeping, and although I was sick as could be, I was also as stubborn as ever. When the doctor told me I needed to spend the night, I refused, saying that Ben couldn’t be without me.

The doctors must have seen i meant business, because to keep me in the hospital they put me in the children’s ward and let Ben room in with me.

And so, we spent the night in the hospital together. Me sick and him well.

I remember sitting with him on my bed. The sounds and sights of a children’s hospital all around us. Broken bones, high fevers, parents faces filled with worry and fear. True love, advocacy, heart break all around, speckled with the laughter of children at play.

As I sat there with my well child I had a vision that has always stayed with me. In this image it was Ben who was sick. I knelt beside him day and night, praying and bargaining with any god who would listen to let him be well. For me to take his place. And in this dream, my prayer had been answered, and miraculously, we had ended up like this – in this children’s ward, where I was sick and he was healed.

I have never ever forgotten that feeling. The blessing of having a well child.

Even on my worst day, the one where I can’t breathe under the weight of worry and when there isn’t enough time, or money, I have three healthy, beautiful children whom I adore. And I am given the privilidge of worrying about unimportant things.

Sometimes life really sucks. Without purpose. Sometimes things happen for no reason. Sometimes parents sit at bedsides praying to switch places with their children and those prayers are not answered.

Sometimes life is brilliant and beautiful. And children laugh and play games. They are able to get bored and cry over scraping their knees, or not getting the right present for their birthdays. They eat well and are able to think about things like organic fruit and holistic education. Their parents worry about spoiling them with too much love and too many hugs and kisses.

I have come to learn that having well children is also a responsibility. That not having to carry this weight of worry, means that you can reach out and help others. If you have time, room, money, love, energy, resources, it is not just nice to share them, it is the only true work of life.

On Wednesday August 4th, my dear friend Scott Stratten (@unmarketing on twitter) is holding a tweetathon to raise money for a little boy named Tanner. You can read Tanner’s story here. I would ask you all to read his story and make a donation to Tanner’s family. (You don’t have to be on twitter to donate) There is a raffle for a bunch of cool prizes and the gratitude of a lot of amazing people, including myself.

Lets show Tanner and his family that people care, and kiss your kids a little extra, i know i am.