Day 300 – Learn, Live, Hope

Art Apple - Day Three HundredLearn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. – Albert Einstein

I have learned so much in the last 10 months.

I had no idea what an amazing ride this was going to be. I had no idea that I would experience so many joys as well as some deep sadnesses that would travel along with me. I’ve felt so much joy in seeing the determination and strength of others and I’ve made some wonderful friendships that I cherish and will always carry with me. But, I also didn’t expect how much I would be affected by the fact that there are so many wonderful people suffering. I know what spondylitis can do to a life – I just didn’t realize that by actively being in the community I would be faced with living the suffering through the stories I would hear every day and that these stories would stop being something that I could keep at arms length or turn off – these stories were now my friends. I live their pain with my pain now and the toll it has taken on my emotions has been immense. It has been overwhelming at times but I am truly grateful for it. I am so blessed to know and love and feel the support of so many people. I thank each and every one of you for helping me get this far!

Even with the ups and downs of the last 10 months, I wouldn’t change – much. I can’t say I wouldn’t change anything – there are many things I would but I have learned so much about myself, I’ve learned about twitter and social media which has been an education that I will always have, and I have learned a lot about human nature and what chronic pain and illness can do to a person.

I have lived the lives of so many and re-lived some moments in my life that I would have rather left behind. I pledge to live for today because today my AS is managed. I will live for today in the hope that I can help make a bit of difference. I live for today because tomorrow I make another apple – in the hopes that tomorrow we will have a cure!

Until tomorrow.

Jenna

Day 300 was something very new – something I’ve been wanting to experiment with – my sewing machine! Paper, acrylic paint, ink, fabric, thread, a leaf made from a yen of some sort that my Dad brought back from China.

In The Studio

1. Countdown – 65 days to Apple-A-Thon!

2. Apple Recipe of the Day – Salad with Crab, Apple, and Avacado

3. Interesting Article Of The Day – If I had just used balloons!

4. AS Blogger Spotlight – Meloni a.k.a. AS Mom talks about regret and living with AS.

 

 

 

 

7 Replies to “Day 300 – Learn, Live, Hope”

  1. :'( Beautifully said! I was just telling my wonderful therapist about you last night and what an inspriration you are to me! xo

    1. Melissa,
      I am so touched that my project can provide inspiration. I don’t think I’ve figured out how to articulate the feelings I have when someone tells me my project has helped them in some way. By making one apple everyday for this year – I didn’t know how it would be, what would happen, if anyone would even care. So, thank you for sharing this with me – it keeps me going! A Big Soft Hug coming your way!

  2. You’ve stitched together a wide experience. I look forward to the story you will tell going forward after day 365. The pain others have expressed and lived out and how it effects them, is both incredibly saddening and also amazingly inspiring.

  3. Congratulations on reaching #300…the next 65 should at least seem easier….although I know they won’t be.

    Your heart is in the right place, and you know we all will be right here routing for you.

  4. Congratulations on this milestone Jenna!! Great post and AWESOME apple! Another one of my favorites.

    ~ just 64 more to go as of this writing! ( ;

    Elin

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