Survival

Survival is not so much about the body, but rather it is about the triumph of the human spirit. - Danita Vance

This past week: our Dad continued to lay unconscious on a ventilator and underwent a series of surgeries, a dear friend’s Mom passed away while another’s father went into hospice, a cherished friend laid her beloved pup to rest, our son underwent minor surgery, we hosted a family bridal shower in another state, not to mention we traveled eight hours in a car with a toddler to another state, we let go another manager on our team, a friend’s father sits in the ICU, devastating tornados ripped through counties nearby while we also made two trips to the basement and our parents’ house suffered some damage, a dear colleague/friend’s grandfather is suffering extremely while another sits at Children’s with her sick child…

Did I mention this all took place in the last seven days?

But here’s the thing - we survived, just like we always do, with the most amazing support system surrounding our hearts, homes and souls. Cradling food dishes, sending love via text and phone calls, taking care of all the little things that get left behind when tough situations strike. Providing perspective, comfort, motivation, support and all things real as the blows hit, one by one. So if you were to ask us what we’d take to a desert island where we’d be left for stranded and our only goal would be to survive?

Hands down…we’d take you.

So thank you, dear family and friends, for being the reason we keep putting one foot in front of the other, sustain positive spirits, find delight in the day’s smallest things even when it seems there is nothing we should be grinning about and taking it one hour at a time. And to any and all of you who we all know suffers in this life, big and small, may you always lean on our little team in time of need, celebration and love like we do with you. Because we all have sh*t, life can be tough and gah knows you too will have a week like this too. Not to mention those that suffer their entire lifetime with worse experiences…heartbreaking.

And maybe, just maybe, we’ll have a little survival kit tucked away when you need it most. Gah knows you deserve it.

Cheers to a fresh start this week where the word “survival” doesn’t even need to play a role. And much love to you and yours, surviving in laughter, humor, comfort and endless, unconditional love.

As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed. - Vincent Van Gogh

PS: As of yesterday, the hubs received the best.birthday.gift.ever: his Dad came off the ventilator and even sent on a video singing a celebratory tune. From here, it will only go up with fast healing and a speedy recovery. Just another tale of amazing survival…