privileged

While our recent trip to the States was filled with fun and laughter, there were also a number of tasks to be carried out which were... well... let's just say less than pleasant.

Among them was the seemingly insurmountable task of clearing out our mother's condo and garage.

As my sister and I sat in a sea of towering Rubbermaid tubs floating all around us, we shook our heads at the ridiculous state of disarray.

We filled garbage bag after gargbage bag of old photographs. Copies and copies of the *same* old photographs, to be more accurate. Our necks were actually sore from all the hours we spent each evening, sifting and sorting through pictures, some dating back to 1957.

We filled over four cups of unused, expired prescription pills that had to be tossed down the garbage disposal. We felt buzzed from inhaling the powdery residue left in the air and on our fingers.

At the time, it felt like a drag. But I couldn't help but realize just how privileged our lives have been. Not only did we own a camera, but we had money to develop film. And not only did we have money to develop film, but we had money to go places. Not only did we have money to go places, but we had a car in which to get there. All things that many families in this world never dream of possessing. All things that were largely taken for granted.

We had money for medication. Not only that, but we had money to see a doctor. Not only that, but we had doctors accessible to us. Again, privileges that many people around the world do not share, often to their severe detriment.

I can complain about my mom having cancer at such a young age, but actually, we are tremendously privileged. We are privileged to be living in a country and an era where such advanced medical technologies are available to us. My dad, a retired physician, says that fifty years ago, when he was in medical school, there were only two options of chemotherapy available. If a person was lucky, he got to try one. If he was *very* lucky, he got to try both.

My mom has had more than seven types, all specifically catered to her type of cancer. And there are more coming on the market each year.

What's my point? Well, I guess I'm just trying to remind myself that even when my first instinct is to complain, I should first pause and consider just how privileged I really am.