“There is never a good time for bad things to happen.” As I’ve been facing a trifecta of unfortunate life circumstances, the past two weeks have reminded me how true that statement is.
The Terrible Trio
“When it rains, it pours” also comes to mind when thinking about all that has happened recently.
- On April 27, my Mom was rushed to the hospital. She is undergoing treatment for several life-threatening conditions.
- My Dad, a disabled veteran, has experienced an increase in the severity of his health issues. Worrying about my mother, commuting to the hospital, and stressing over the unknown have taken a toll on him.
- A recent medical emergency landed me in an Urgent Care center just days after my 40th birthday on May 1. Since then, I’ve had several doctor appointments, CT scans, and visits with specialists. Presently, I’m still awaiting a diagnosis on what’s ailing me.
A Message of Gratitude Not Complaints
While all of the above sucks, my intent for today’s post is not to complain or feel sorry for myself.
Instead, I want to say, “Thank you!” I’ve learned that no matter how awful things seem in the moment, there is always a silver lining.
For me, that beautiful silver lining is the people around me.
I would never be able to withstand the current turn of events without the support I've gotten from others. And I want to take the time to thank everyone who has helped to keep me in one piece over the past few weeks.
“Thank you” to:
My husband, Nathan. Nathan has been delivering food to my family, taking me to the hospital, managing the responsibilities of our home, and offering moral support 24/7. There are times when I am overwhelmed with emotion and sadness, and he’s provided unrelenting emotional support.
My brother, Matt. Matt has stepped up to relieve some of the burdens on my Dad. I know it hasn’t been easy for him, given his job and geographic distance from my parents’ house. It’s comforting to know I can rely on him to lighten the load, even as he’s experiencing the same emotional pain as I am.
My stepchildren, Alex and Emily. They planned something special for my birthday and celebrated like nothing was going on, which was a welcome distraction. I was a little emotional and down the night of my birthday. However, they were troopers and a source of happiness during a dark time.
My father-in-law, Ed. Fortunately, he lives about ten minutes from my parents, so he brought meals and coordinated efforts to help as needed. It’s the small things that mean so much!
My team. I’ve been transparent with my team about what’s going on in my personal life. They’ve taken work off my plate, remained flexible with my deliverables, and they’ve checked in to see how I am feeling. They also did something nice for my birthday.
My customers. Only several clients are aware of my situation, and they’ve been extremely understanding of the circumstances. I thank them for being patient when I’ve had to reschedule meetings and revise the timeframes for projects. It’s not easy to run a business when traumatic events occur, but flexible customers make it all less harrowing.
My “professional services team” (a.k.a., my lawyer, business coach, and housekeeper). To preserve their privacy, I won’t address them by name, but they know who they are and how they’ve helped me. Thank you to them!
My “personal services team” (a.k.a., my massage therapist, hairdresser, and manicurist). They were all understanding when I couldn’t keep all of my appointments recently. The appointments I could attend were immensely therapeutic. It was helpful to take a few minutes for myself and have the opportunity to talk with others.
My “emotional support animals” (Frankie, Lillian, Eminem, and Tabby). Animals have amazing emotional instincts! My feline family members know when something is wrong, and they have been providing much-needed comfort during these trying times.
My friends. Besides the persons I’ve already mentioned in this post, there are many other people out there whom I am grateful to call my friends. I appreciate everything they do and the positivity they bring to my life in good times and bad.
'Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say. ~ Alice Walker
I may have a long road of challenges ahead, but knowing I have so many supportive people in my corner will help me get through it all. I appreciate each and every one of you for your warm thoughts, kind words, patience, and gestures of help.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
