Happy November!
I haven't written anything in the last two months, and it's been chaotic. My daughter underwent double jaw surgery and subsequently required emergency surgery. On top of that, my partner had heart surgery. Miscellaneous challenges also popped up: a sick dog, a broken tooth, two appliances that stopped working, and significant repairs needed for my car. To top it all off, we discovered a downstairs room infested with mold and termites.
Yet, here I am, back at my desk, writing a blog. What I've learned from this is still coming together, but I want to share what I’ve discovered.
As Glenda Doyle said, “We can do hard things.” Yes, we can! I cared for someone who was in pain and couldn’t talk, eat, or sleep for an entire week. Both of us were exhausted, but we supported each other through it. I experienced moments of sheer fatigue and moments of pure inspiration. One night, at three in the morning, wanting to find something my daughter could eat and enjoy, I created a seedless berry puree with honey, perfect for smoothies, yogurt, and ice cream. She loved it.
As my dear friend, Summer MacCool, said, “We need each other.” She is right. Family and friends brought us dinner, flowers, and unwavering support during this challenging time. My partner took care of our dog and looked after my well-being. My son helped uplift his sister’s spirits. A good friend introduced me to a wonderful person who resolved our downstairs issues. It’s clear that life is working out with the help of incredible people, and I need them: the doctors, the nurses, the cleaners, the food servers—everyone.
"Trust your intuition." My coach Kay would tell me. And I am grateful I do. When my daughter was sick, and the doctors assured us it was expected, something felt off. After she woke up from a nap, I noticed her swelling had increased. I knew we needed to go to the ER. I told my daughter to get ready, and off we went. Thank goodness we did—she required emergency surgery due to a rare infection.
I have learned that life is not happening to me; it is happening for me. I am offered opportunities to rise, grow, and expand whenever something challenging happens. And boy, have I done a lot of growing.