You Never Know How Strong You Are, Until Being Strong Is The Only Option

I've had people tell me how well I'm handling our situation, how strong I am being throughout it all. It's strange to me, because I never thought about it that way- I never thought that I had any other option than to be strong. 

I'm handling this situation the only way I know, the only way I've come to know, by watching others. I remember when I was young and my Granny was diagnosed with cancer, I was much too young to really understand the true impact of the illness, but I witness the fight and determination- and sadly, I watched as cancer took my Granny too soon. But I also witnessed something else, something that I wasn't too young to understand- Love. I watched as my Mom and Aunt took turns sleeping over with my Granny, I watched as they sacrificed time with their own kids, time at work and time relaxing, to help take care of their mother. I was taught early on how to react to a situation like this, a situation as devastating as cancer, as I was taught to be strong, help in every way possible, and to pray- which is exactly what I am doing. 

The first couple of weeks was very difficult after Dad's seizure, and I will not deny that I questioned God, questioned my faith and questioned this path. But as the days have passed and I've been able to process life little by little, I've come to understand that God doesn't call the qualified, the qualifies the called. I wasn't ready for this journey when everything started- and it took time for me to understand this path and understand my journey- but I truly believe that God so perfectly created this for us. He created a path that is difficult- filled with highs and lows, good and bad days- but a path that he felt was perfect for my family. 

It absolutely breaks my heart when I hear of others with loved ones that have been diagnosed with cancer. It takes me back to those first couple of weeks- weeks where I questioned everything about this path, and I questioned everything about my faith. It's a horrible feeling, a feeling that I don't wish upon anyone, although it's a feeling I know many are experiencing right now. 

Anyone faced with a difficult situation can crumble, fall, and lose hope- but I've chosen to not allow this difficult situation to result in any of those things. I will never lose hope, I will never lose faith and I will never lose my strength, because I know miracles happen every day. 

The saying is very true.. "you never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only option." Cancer sucks, and that won't change today or tomorrow, so instead I'm going to pray for those who are battling and those who are standing by loved ones battling cancer. I'm praying for comfort, praying for healing, and praying that they too never lose the strength to make it through each and every day.