Diseases can be our spiritual flat tires – disruptions in our lives that seem to be disasters at the time but end by redirecting our lives in a meaningful way. ~Bernie S. Siegel
There are days when it feels like the air has been let out of my spiritual tires but I’ve been so lucky that the worst of those days are few and far between for me now with the treatment I get for my AS.
I see the disaster that AS makes of lives – I see it everyday in the people I have connected with in the last 200 days. But I also see that there are so many who have learned to turn the disaster of chronic illness into amazing attitudes and incredible spirits. We have learned to overcome the disruption it’s made of our lives.
For anyone who has been recently diagnosed or for anyone going through a difficult time whatever it might be – it will get better. It will. And, you will be stronger and better for living through the really bad, bad days. You will come out the other side of those days with a deep knowledge that you can survive anything.
There is enormous power in a life where you’ve already seen the days when your spirit was deflated and empty and looked hopeless and you made it out of those days, past the disruption and disaster and you did redirect. The meaning and understanding and love that comes out of the knowledge that you can survive is something you should hold close and believe with all your heart that it makes your future so much less scary than the person who has never seen or lived your adversity.
Until tomorrow.
Jenna
Day 200 was created in Letraset Pantone Tria and Micron markers.
I feel blessed to have friends, family and in our case neighbors that have helped us along the way. And back to what was there all along LOVE thank you to everyone we are making an impact together, so in the spirit of celebration, go SASQUATCH!!
Congratulations on day 200! That’s a big milestone! I’m thinking of the “this day in history” section in the newspaper – today’s entry: Today is day 200 in the Year of the Apple. There are 165 days remaining.
Keep going, and I’ll keep being here with you.
Thank you sweetheart. It is most definitely the year of the apple for us! I can’t thank you enough for hanging with me on this journey. I know I can be driven, passionate, and let it consume every corner of our lives. We’ll get to the end – and take a nice lovely vacation!
Congratulations on number 200 Jenna.
I have my apple done, and am working on my story.
Keep up the great work.
Vic,
Your apple and story are wonderful. Thank you so much for submitting them to Hope & Apples!
Jenna
200 A great deal of work and determination and lovely art.
I just needed to take a moment to celebrate…. moving on now to 201, 202, 203…… and yes 365!
I agree, there is something freeing about knowing you’ve already such extreme pain and come out of it. When I hear people say something is the most painful thing they’ve ever experienced, more painful that childbirth (and it is something I’ve already experience) it gives me hope that things can’t physically feel THAT much worse than where I’ve already been. It really lightens the load of future!
I guess that’s how it see it most days. I hope everyday to never experience the worst of times again. I will do everything in my power to stay “well” but if it comes, I know I can get through it.
xox
Jenna