Do you really understand?

Many times when we hear other people talking about themselves, about their grief and sorrow, we tend to show our sympathy towards them and tell them that we understand. The fact is that, we don't. We won't, unless we ride on the same boat as them and have been in the same shoes as theirs. We may even get the whole picture of their situation, of what's going on, but we will never understand how it feels like to be in that position.

Today is my second day in the hospital. A better day. Every kid seems smiling with their favourite games on the playstations and X-box, or even simple things such as arts and crafts. One of them was short-tempered and seemed withdrawn; wanted to be left alone but doesn't mind for a tad of attention. When his mom picked him up, I knew I saw her somewhere before. She has another kid in the ward who is suffering from cancer.

My first hostpital visit started of with excitement, ended with being depressed. Still, is that smile I had to put on to every kid I encountered, but I can't help to silently tear inside. Some of them are so frail and weak, that I don't even know how to approach them. I was touched by the strengths of other kids who still try to live their days to the fullest, despite knowing that they are going to die one day. But I felt despair looking at the helpless expressions of their family members. Perhaps these kids haven't fully understand their own condition comparing to what their parents are going through. But I find it hard to understand "why parents are so pessimistic when their child can peacefully go through this?" Perhaps it's something I would never understand until I'm in their shoes.