My Heart is Full

 

It’s everywhere we turn. Broken hearts, broken faith; pain and suffering. In less than 24 hours time, 2 more friends of mine are standing in the crosshairs of Cancer’s rearing and ugly face. They’re young and vivacious, with beautiful souls.

We all know someone who is fighting their battle or fought strong to the end.  Maybe it was your grandmother, your best friend’s husband, your very OWN wife. A sister. A brother. Mother. Or friend of a friend.

2015 brought about such changes to my life.  They weren’t changes to my hair or weight or the way I dressed.  They weren’t changes I could have ever planned for and quite honeslty, looking at me, you probably wouldn’t even notice them. I always preach that “everything happens for a reason”.  I still believe those five words to be true. I may not understand the “why”, but I believe the circumstances are given to the strongest of souls to grow.  My soul has grown immensely and my heart is full.  I may not have that mansion that every girl dreams of having (you know, the one that looks like Barbie’s dream house?), but I have something far more important. My family is blessed with a roof over our head, food on the table EVERY morning and evening, and most importantly, another day to love one another.  You can never know what tomorrow brings, and praying for one fills your heart- with love and content and the need to pay it forward.  There is something to be said for this peace  that I have found within myself.

I spent many days at the Cancer Centers here in northern IL over the past year and met individuals with stories of family and love.  I’ve heard stories of the battles and the triumphs. There is a hope that embraces the fear of the unknown.  This hope, this compassion, it begins to fill your heart.  No one’s story is better than the other.  They are all unique. And all equal.  Regardless of their stage on their journey, EVERY last person is glowing with the same aura of hope. And it’s nothing short of contagious. Carpe diem.  Seize the day.  Take the day that has been given to you and do something with it that will make your heart smile. I don’t have extra hours in the chaos of my day to volunteer to say “thank you” for “teaching” me this life lesson in a very real life situation. But I have to do something….

I’ve started my very own Cupid Cares campaign that will benefit the patients of the very Cancer Center whose doors I have walked through numerous times for a reason I never thought would affect me the way it has.  (For more information, you can check it out on my Facebook page.) But I am greatful for the days that I have been given and the triumphs we have been fortunate enough to receive.  Because it is in this time, even in the most uncertain of circumstances, that I have grown.

This isn’t meant to be depressing, in fact, I want this to be just the opposite.  I want you to dig deep and reflect on YOUR journey.  Everyone has one.  Everyone’s is unique. How has it affected YOU?  How do YOU want to pay it forward?  Whatever your “how” is, I hope it makes your heart full.  Because right now, in this very moment, my heart is full, I am happy.  I have hope and love and gratitude for everything I have, everything I have been given, and everything I have learned from the circumstances of 2015.

XO,

Melissa