Yes, I believe that this boy led me to learn a lot about health and nutrition and he DOES look after himself fairly well while the other, who never had a health problem, is a bit of a rake!
Our troubles lead us to our triumphs in this life, no doubt about it.
Once this is realized, then it is easier to consider the WHY as we go through the situation, rather than get all stressed about it; that then gets us out of it faster because we are learning all the way.
Knowing so much as you do at your age should allow you to be a very wise mother indeed to your family -- when it arrives. :)