There are days that are hard. You learn that in life rather quickly. Days you don't feel all that well. Days that you feel kicked before you get up. That is just part of life. Sometimes you are left with the darkness after a thunderstorm without any signs of a rainbow.
If your a caregiver you put those days behind you as quickly as possible because you see first hand that your worst day is a piece of cake to the one you are caring for.
Our family talks about choices a lot. I believe that life is made up of a thousand choices and depending on the ones you make with a whole lot of help from God behind them that regardless of your circumstance, you health or your position in life you can have a good life. You can have a life that makes a difference.
My sweet Holly has terminally ill cancer. The statement itself is like a stone in my heart. However, until a few months ago that seemed to be such an abstract statement. We have an amazing faith, prayer team and support group. Doctors that have kept up with every trick in the tool box to keep this cancer at bay! No one wasn't willing to do what ever physically possible to fight this fight!
However, sometimes, the physical fight isn't enough.
Holly's cancer has advanced. The tumors in her brain have refused to respond to treatment.
Now we have another choice...
Cancer takes away many dreams in life. Holly will never get married, have children, watch her family grow. God gives back in other ways. Holly has spent her time being an awesome Aunt to her nieces and nephews. Holly has spent her extra time volunteering at Children's Hospital rocking babies who are ill. It's amazing to see one dream be answered with NO and have another dream provided.
Holly has had the opportunity to travel, to build amazing and lasting friendships, and to work in a job she enjoys and that challenged her.
I have watched a feisty, funny, beautiful spirit become more so. Holly has never wallowed or let Cancer define her. She has instead chosen to walk with Grace, to look for joy, to seek ways to fill her time and mind with positive things in life. And I am so thankful that I get to share this journey with her.
So, when we sat down for our family meeting recently the heartbreaking reality that sometimes Cancer wins hung heavy in the air. Our kids listened with mixed tears glistening in their eyes as they bravely held them back. My son sat in stoic silence. Several questions from our curious lot finally surfaced...but what did not ever surface is that this was defeat. We may not have our happily ever after this time but we will have our happy. We will find our joy and share our time with Holly in love. We will continue to enjoy our great family and AMAZING friends. Our choice is to lean on faith, to find joy, to look for the best in every day.
Holly's journey
Ways to help Holly
Psalm 41:3
The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. (NIV)
If your a caregiver you put those days behind you as quickly as possible because you see first hand that your worst day is a piece of cake to the one you are caring for.
Our family talks about choices a lot. I believe that life is made up of a thousand choices and depending on the ones you make with a whole lot of help from God behind them that regardless of your circumstance, you health or your position in life you can have a good life. You can have a life that makes a difference.
My sweet Holly has terminally ill cancer. The statement itself is like a stone in my heart. However, until a few months ago that seemed to be such an abstract statement. We have an amazing faith, prayer team and support group. Doctors that have kept up with every trick in the tool box to keep this cancer at bay! No one wasn't willing to do what ever physically possible to fight this fight!
However, sometimes, the physical fight isn't enough.
Holly's cancer has advanced. The tumors in her brain have refused to respond to treatment.
Now we have another choice...
Cancer takes away many dreams in life. Holly will never get married, have children, watch her family grow. God gives back in other ways. Holly has spent her time being an awesome Aunt to her nieces and nephews. Holly has spent her extra time volunteering at Children's Hospital rocking babies who are ill. It's amazing to see one dream be answered with NO and have another dream provided.
Holly has had the opportunity to travel, to build amazing and lasting friendships, and to work in a job she enjoys and that challenged her.
I have watched a feisty, funny, beautiful spirit become more so. Holly has never wallowed or let Cancer define her. She has instead chosen to walk with Grace, to look for joy, to seek ways to fill her time and mind with positive things in life. And I am so thankful that I get to share this journey with her.
So, when we sat down for our family meeting recently the heartbreaking reality that sometimes Cancer wins hung heavy in the air. Our kids listened with mixed tears glistening in their eyes as they bravely held them back. My son sat in stoic silence. Several questions from our curious lot finally surfaced...but what did not ever surface is that this was defeat. We may not have our happily ever after this time but we will have our happy. We will find our joy and share our time with Holly in love. We will continue to enjoy our great family and AMAZING friends. Our choice is to lean on faith, to find joy, to look for the best in every day.
Holly's journey
Ways to help Holly
Psalm 41:3
The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. (NIV)
