I’ve been there, mama.
Sitting at the side of my child’s hospital bed, praying for a miracle.
I’ve been there.
Holding my loved one’s hand as they took their last earthly breath.
I’ve been there.
Watching helplessly as the surgeons wheeled my loved one away to have life-saving, emergency surgery.
I’ve been there, too.
RELATED: To the Moms Who Conquered Cancer
Lying in the hospital bed, hooked up to a cocktail of chemotherapy drugs, hoping with all my might this treatment will be the one that helps me reach remission.
So many times, my reality has felt like something I should be watching on TV, not experiencing in real life.
Like when I had to place my 4-month-old daughter’s life in the hands of a surgeon to repair a gaping hole in her heart when it was only the size of a walnut.
Or when I had to watch as the love of my life was wheeled away into 14-hour brain surgery to carefully remove an AVM in his brain that was threatening his life.
Or just three years ago when I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer right before the holidays.
I’ve been there, mama.
When all seems to be going wrong.
I’ve doubted my faith and my place in this world, too.
But throughout my life, I’ve also witnessed the impossible become possible.
All these real-life health emergencies have taught me life sometimes life hands us grenades.
RELATED: For the Sorrowful Heart When Struggle Seems Too Much to Bear: This Too Shall Pass
Life as we know it can be turned upside down in an instant.
We can’t always control what happens to us, but I’ve learned we can always control how we respond.
Navigating the uncertainty that comes with chronic illness and cancer has helped me remain calm in a crisis.
My journey has taught me that sometimes things have to fall apart, so they can come together better in the end.
Being pushed to my limits and coming face to face with death has brought me closer to my faith.
I’ve found many times, it’s the things that wound us the deepest that lead us to the most profound healing.
Although sometimes we doubt our own strength and ability to survive what’s in front of us, knowing others have walked this difficult road and survived, gives us hope we can too.
While I don’t know your story, our struggle is likely the same.
I’m here to tell you it will get better.
It may not be today or tomorrow, but things will change.
RELATED: Tragedy Changes You, But it Doesn’t Have To Ruin You
Bad things happen.
Emergencies and crises affect us all.
But things can always change for the better.
When you’re lost for words and what to do next,
Hang on to the hope that rises with each breath.
I’ve been there, mama but I’m HERE now.
And I’m so glad you are too.