The bottom line is that life includes suffering, and all parents will suffer because of their children, to one degree or another. No one escapes that, it’s the flip side of the great love and joy parenthood brings.

George and Barbara Bush were spared foreknowledge of Robin’s disease. But had they known, would they have rejected the chance to know and love her? Their noble acceptance of her life and all it meant transformed them and enriched the lives of many others.