Keep on smiling!

I love this quote

"When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile"

Over the last day I have been putting a lot of thought into this quote. 
Back in October of 2012 I had plans with a friend I had for nearly 8 years. At the time that friend nor I knew what the next few months was going to end up like with Ella. As far as we knew everything was going to be running smoothly and Ella was just fine. The week of the plans Ella was having some symptoms which were very concerning to me. So I cancelled my plans with my friend to stay home and watch, take care of Ella. I received a message from this friend saying that it was uncalled for to cancel plans with her that she couldn't be my friend anymore. I looked back at the past 8 years and I had many of times that I would be home crying in tears because I was stood up by this so called friend. I thought to myself "she cant be friends with me, because I stayed home to take care of my daughter". The next 2 weeks became very hard with Ella, she became sicker. On November 2nd I rushed Ella to the emergency room at Primary Children's. The doctor confirmed that Ella was having pressure in her head caused by the fluid in her brain. Ella was admitted and had emergency surgery the next day. We were in the hospital for a total of 7 days, our luck continued and the next month she had an device placed into her heart for a PDA heart murmur. This was the hardest thing I had been put through in my life. My child was going through risky surgeries. I think back and know for a fact that this friend was not a true friend at all. If only she had known what Ella was going through and I as a mom. I had put money towards a foundation for her brother prior to this, because I was a caring friend and wanted to show her I cared. I put my heart out on his foundation page telling her how much I cared for her and her family and that even though I was having financial problems during that time that put money towards a great cause. I have been taught to forgive and forget. So for this quote I forgive this person and I will forget what they missed out on. Because Ella is a angel sent from heaven. We are grateful for all the love and support we have had during all the hard times we have been through and are grateful for all that helped us. I may have cried a few times over that friendship, but I have had more smiles than anything from it. Because I found out who my true friends are along the way of all of the hard times. 

Thank you for allowing me to find the person I am, how strong I am and how I can smile my way through all the hard times, and a little tear along with it.