The last two year have been hard, someone who means the world to me was diagnosed with a life altering disease and was very ill for several months. When I tried to update this blog, only darkness came out of me (and my Mom always said if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything). I have tried to be positive and enthusiastic for my friend and for all my family and friends while at the same time feeling like I was coming apart at the seams. Prior to the illness I had planned a Boy Scout trip to Great Smoky Mountain National Park, so one of my big challenges was to be present on the trip and present with my friend. I am so thankful for the great people in Scouting who are kind and supportive even when they don't know or understand what I am going through. The trip was good and thanks to modern technology I was also able to be supportive remotely.
Fast forward to now and the illness and all of its issues and costs are still present with my friends life, but he has shown strength, determination and self reliance that I know the burden is not mine nor is it his alone. He has moved forward in his life and is taking every challenge in stride, I feel his struggle, but it no longer burdens my soul, because I know he is strong. So now it's time for me to move forward.
Please be kind to everyone you can, you may not know what people are going through. One kind word may mean the world to them.
