This week marks the annual Washington County Fair in Brenham, Texas. A time of year which has always meant so much to Dad, and a time of year I look forward to all year long. This year has been a bit different, as Dad was unable to help some of the exhibitors with their animals, and was not able to serve on a fair committee. But, just because Lar couldn't do exactly what he did at this time last year, doesn't mean he hasn't been enjoying the fair right along with us! I absolutely love seeing him out and talking with old friends, it brings a huge smile to my face to see him enjoying the fair this year.
It's strange to think that just one year ago our lives seemed normal, some would even say perfect- oh how wrong we would be! How wrong we were to think that we had it all figured out, that God had blessed our family in so many ways, when really, we had just barely figured out the secret to life.
It's been 11.5 months since Dad's seizure, and in those 11.5 months we've just barely seen the amount of love that God can show us, and we've just barely seen the amount of love friends and family can show us. So what's this secret of life we've figured out?
You're stronger than you ever imaged you could be. You're more loved than you ever imaged you could be. And you're impacting others more than you ever imaged.
Strength. Webster defines strength as, "the ability to resist being moved or broken by a force." What a perfect way to describe Dad! He's resisted feeling sorry for himself, he's resisted being broken by cancer, and he's resisted the urge to be alone in this fight. People comment all the time about how strong our family has been throughout it all, that our strength is amazing. As much as I appreciate those sweet words, I have to give it all to two of the most important people in my life: God and Dad. I've seen Dad's faith shine through his fight, and it's inspired me to have this strength to get through it all, to resist being broken by a force like cancer.
To say we have felt the love since day 1 of Dad's fight would be such a huge understatement, as we have been completely and fully embraced by so many people- some life long friends, others strangers turned into friends, that have related to our story. I know for a fact our eyes have just barely been open to the HUGE amount of love being poured into our fight. This week has been such a humbling experience to have so many people ask about Dad and tell me they are praying for him. It just makes my heart so full to hear what a positive and amazing impact Dad has had on so many people throughout the years, especially at the fair- a place that holds such a special place in Dad's heart.
As Faith Hill sings in her song, "The Secret of Life":
"The secret of life, is there ain't no secret,
And you don't get your money back."
The secret to life isn't a secret. It's taking it all one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time, and embracing it all. We can't change our situation, so instead we change our attitude. There's no turning back, no giving up, and no way we will stop living.
Since day 1, Mom has told all of us that we will not wait to die, but instead continue to live. We still have normalcy in our lives, we still go out and enjoy life, we still argue, and we still make lots of mistakes along the way- but one thing continues, and that's our fight and determination to beat this!
Dad continues to feel well, and it's been really amazing to see him out enjoying life! With another MRI in less than a week, the anxiety and fear are all coming back, as we continue to hope and pray the treatments are working- we continue to hope and pray for a good MRI result.
Continue praying, as we continue fighting to BTHO Brain Cancer!
*Side note: Asking for a few extra prayers for a young man who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. As hard as it's been watching Dad fight brain cancer, my heart breaks even more to hear of a child being diagnosed with this terrible disease. Send extra prayers for the parents and even more to that young man- as we all know how powerful prayer really can be!
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