French Braids and Feeding Tubes

I've been working up at UNI a lot lately. I've had the opportunity to hang out with some very cool kids who are constantly teaching me things I didn't realize that I didn't know. Last night this cute little girl walked by all ready for bed and her hair was all clean from her shower. I offered to braid her hair and her face just lit up. She sat in front of me and we chatted about High School Musical and other very important topics. The nurse came up and started getting her NG tube all fixed up for her night time feed to begin. I was struck by this little girls reality. She was thrilled that I was french braiding her hair (rather poorly, I might add) all the while facing this horrible life situation. I'm not sure what exactly hit me so hard or why I was so affected by it, but it made me grateful. Grateful for my own reality, grateful for the little things we can do to help others, and grateful for hope and change and brighter futures.