i'm always amazed at how resilient human beings can be. just over a year ago, we were dealing with massive water damage to our condo, i was 9 months pregnant and literally staying in random hotel rooms while contractors scrambled to put up the new drywall in our place before i got home from the delivering the baby. on the work front, budgets were nonexistent due to the economic implosion and i was uninspired, frustrated at my inability to actually accomplish much of anything.
whenever i'd tell friends about my plight, i'd get the same response.
"oh i'm so sorry. that sounds terrible. i can't imagine how you're even dealing with all that. if you ever need any help..."
their sympathy was heartfelt and sincere, but for the most part, they were personal struggles that couldn't really be solved by external intervention. there were tears, times when i just wanted to curl up into a ball in fetal position and start rocking...
but more often than not, i didn't. i just kept going, thinking about the new life i was about to bring into the world, beaming with pride at every accomplishment my amazing 6 year old achieved (and if you know him, there were many, daily), swallowing my pride and accepting the help of family (my generous-beyond-words brother, dad, step mom and friends), and just believing that "this too shall pass."
and now, only a year later, i find myself marveling at how lucky i am. a family that humbles and inspires me daily. amazing kids, a husband who is a rock of support, and friends who make me belly laugh and who i know have my back. business is booming at work and i have a renewed sense of energy and inspiration about the opportunities in life and work.
and the transition from lowest low to highest height happened in the course of a single year. maybe i started this blog because i reached the tipping point—where gratitude outweighed the feeling of being overwhelmed by life and the periodic "sh*t sandwiches" i'd been served.
in fact, i see it happening all the time. inspiring people that i know who, when faced with pain, a loss, a challenge, get back up on the horse with their head held high and ride it out. when they've lost someone special, they run, they walk, they form deeper relationships with those who remain, to honor their loved one. when they fall down, they discover an unexpected hand to help them up. when they hit an obstacle, they realize later that that blockade actually opened up a door to another path entirely. when they are silent and still, they find their voice.
all of you inspire me with your courage, strength, support and resilience.
"giddy up!"