The simplest of things can hold the greatest
significance and beauty. They can ignite a fire within, overwhelm us with
gratitude, and revive the spirit of hope that dwells inside each of us. We can
search far and wide seeking out beauty in the grandest of forms, but sometimes
the most substantial beauty is in the simplest of existence.
Simple Beauty
It's incredible how something as unassuming as a
white piece of paper with a few numbers can carry so much meaning and beauty.
It really means so many things, but most of all that piece of paper
represents the life within every breath I take. It represents the grace I've
been given to love another day, sing another day, to laugh another day, to
breathe another day.
But it goes even deeper than that, it is a
reflection of every person who has fought relentlessly not only for me, but all
those with CF. That simple piece of paper is not just a representation of my
life, but the fight against CF in its entirety. It symbolizes the people
who have lost their lives to CF and all those still fighting. The paper that I
hold between my fingers is only possible because of the selfless army of
doctors, nurses, pharmacists, family, friends, and complete strangers who
refuse to give up hope. There are no words to convey the depth of gratitude
that dwells within me for each of you.
Gift of Grace
As I sat in the doctor's office this past week, I
couldn't help but think about the last six months and the journey to this very
moment. What a very different path my life could have taken, and how quickly it
can all change. I think the hardest thing to comprehend and understand is why I
was given this grace of time and health when so many in the exact situation as
me have not received the same gift of grace. The most difficult thing about CF
is there is never any clear reason why. CF doesn't fight fair, it doesn't make
sense, it doesn't care about the loved ones it's stealing and the lives it's
sacrificing. I am overcome with guilt and the desperate aching question of why.
Why has CF shown me such grace? I feel so undeserving when I see how many incredible
lives CF has ruthlessly impacted and stolen, but has spared me for another day.
I sat there amidst the familiar sterile room thinking about all the other
people with CF that have sat in the exact same chair. I thought about their
dreams, their desperation to live, the heartache of their families and friends,
their souls ringing with the simple plea to just breathe. With these thoughts
pouring through me, a greater passion was ignited within to fight not for
myself, but for every person impacted by CF, so that they too, may be given the
gift of time. Because I have been shown such grace, I cannot waste a moment of
it.
It might be just a simple piece of paper, but it
holds so much beautiful significance and power. It ignites a passion to fight,
an insurmountable gratitude, and a hope for tomorrow that simply cannot be
extinguished. Love to you all.
What grace have you been shown?
I ask you to join me in this fight. Walk, donate,
and be a voice for all those impacted by CF.
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