At four months (in February) my nephew was diagnosed with a rare terminal genetic disease, with a short life expectancy (only up to 2 years).
More on my nephew, his disease and the research being done to find a cure for it:
- Opelika-Auburn News: http://www.oanow.com/
news/auburn/article_793d4690- 226b-11e3-a346-0019bb30f31a. html - Opelika-Auburn News: http://www.oanow.com/
news/auburnuniversity/article_ f04bab34-33c1-11e3-91a7- 0019bb30f31a.html?mode=jqm#& ui-state=dialog - Birmingham News: http://blog.al.com/
spotnews/2013/10/precious_ birthdays_a_mom_a_dad.html - AU College of Veterinary Medicine site: http://www.vetmed.
auburn.edu/news-at-the- college/recent-news/gm1- research-at-scott-ritchey- research-center#.UofAF8SsiSo - Birmingham News: http://blog.al.com/
spotnews/2013/11/porters_ precious_birthdays_a_m.html - The Cullman Times: http://www.
cullmantimes.com/local/ x1267061401/-Cherish-every- smile-For-son-diagnosed-with- rare-genetic-disorder-every- moment-counts-for-Cullman- couple - Birmingham News: http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/12/porters_precious_birthdays_a_m_1.html
- The Moulton Advertiser: http://www.moultonadvertiser.com/opinion/columnists/columnist_one/article_560af2de-7253-11e3-a58b-001a4bcf887a.html
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.
com/pages/Prayers-for-Porter/ 517582134952155.
My uncle that had been battling Stage 4 Mesothelioma cancer died October 9, after his 4.5 year fight (http://www.
For 2014, it looks like my theme will be: DANCE IN THE RAIN. Hard to know going into a new year that there will be a lot of tears to smile through coming up. My nephew's disease is progressing, or in his case for GM1 gangliosidosis, regressing. It's a degenerative disease of the nerves in his brain and spinal cord.
My remaining grandfather, just last night, was diagnosed with late stage terminal bone cancer and liver cancer, in addition to a slew of other health problems. Doctors say it could be a few weeks or up to a few months.
A few related quotes come to mind when I think of comparing life to storms and weather:
"Life's not about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about Learning To Dance In The Rain."
- Vivian Greene
"Everybody wants happiness, nobody wants pain, but you can't have a rainbow without a little rain."
- Anonymous
"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather."
- John Ruskin
I think it's important to understand, though often hard to accept, that there is value in all seasons of life, the peaks and the valleys. The valleys help us appreciate the peaks that much more and help us to relate to/connect with others, which after all - isn't that what we're here for?
I'm learning how to better weather life's storms and how to find joy in the little things (and all things/circumstances). I don't take a minute for granted anymore. I pay attention to every detail.
We struggle daily with a battlefield in our mind - the positive, the negative, the good, the bad and the ugly. The reality is the seasons of life will always be there - it's how we handle them and come out the other side that defines us, our character. These defining moments mold and shape us.
Though I may not get to pick my theme for 2014, my mantra is: BE DISCIPLINED.
Through staying focused, positive thoughts and an innate desire to accomplish my goals and live out my dreams - I will stay the course to get to where I want to be and when the weather is looking rough and the storms start to come, I will dance in the rain.
My mission is to live a life that matters and to inspire others to do the same. Want to hear more?
www.michelleheatherly.com
Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest: @PRgirlmichelle
LinkedIn:
