Sheila and Sarah - Day 8

Sheila Day 8

Life is what you make it!  This morning when I got up, still miserable with the flu, I flicked on the TV.  Now, I almost never watch TV in the morning; however, I had late meetings last night at the college so I opted to stay in Mahnomen.  Thanks to a very special lady at work, I had a free room at the Shooting Star, which allowed me a little bit of extra time to sleep in and chill a bit longer this morning.  I do like the Today Show so I flipped to that channel and hunkered in for just a few more minutes.  There was an awesome segment on this morning about a young man who was in his first year of college when it was discovered that he had a tumor in his pelvis.  What he thought was just a sports injury turned into something that altered his life's path.  In one second, literally his world changed . . . how often does that happen . . . sigh . . .

This incredible young man represented Teen Cancer America and what started out as just a flick of a television button turned into something pretty amazing. This young man talked about the teenage cancer wasteland and how difficult it is for teenagers that have cancer as there is nothing that, well, makes them feel as though they are still kids.  His goal was to help young people find that "spark" in life that makes them "want" to live. Then my mind went out of control and I started to think of all of those people that I know that had or have that spark . . . and I stopped . . . and I took time to pray.

I thought of my daughter's friend Amanda who lost her husband of only a few short years.  I remember how excited they were to be a couple and how they lived for every day as though each was a gift.  Sarah took pictures for their wedding, and so often I still see those images popping up on Facebook as she knows that "life is what you make it."  She has two little babies that serve as a reminder of their daddy that is no longer with them except in spirit, and yet, she still keeps his memories alive and in many ways he lives on in all of them.

Then I thought about my friend Tammy.  The other day was her birthday.  She had cancer awhile ago and was headed in for her 5 year check up when she discovered it had reared its ugly head again.  I cannot imagine what it feels like to hear that news not once but twice or three times.  The other night, I wished her a happy birthday, and unbeknown to me, she was in route to Rochester and things are pretty difficult.  And yet, amidst it all, she is telling all her friends to "let it be known that I have NO plans to slow down . . . I will take the curves, hills, and mountains with caution . . . but I will end up going to the grave saying what a wild ride!!!!"  Life IS what you make it!

Taylor was an incredible young man from my church, and as the young man continued to speak, I thought about him.  This is the first Christmas that he will not be a part of his mamas.  I cannot imagine what it feels like to lose a child.  I cannot imagine what it feels like to spend holiday after holiday in the hospital.  And yet, moms, dads, kiddos, and grandparents do it, not because they have to, but rather because they want to.  Taylor lived life to the fullest.  He got the bad news not once, or twice, or even three times, but over and over and over.  STILL he chose to live the life he had.  He could not help that he was given a bum deck of cards, but what he opted to do with it was AMAZING!  He is the one that embraced the quote that "Life IS what you make it!"

Throughout the course of my day, I reconnected in some places.  I said thank you to some of those individuals that I forgot to thank for being there when I so desperately needed someone.  I reached out to those that were on my heart and let them know that I was thinking about them.  Then I asked Tammy if I could use her quote tonight in the blog.  Again, GOD moment!

We spent the next few messages chatting on Facebook.  I read that she was having a tough day yesterday; however, her conversation was not heavy, but rather filled with laughter, life, and hope.  I loved her final quote: "We are all sinners and none better than anyone else . . . we can only ask for God's forgiveness as we travel in this life.  And it did all start with a baby!" Beautifully said . . . sigh:)

Photo courtesy of Dawn's Photography ©

So today I know this.  Someone out there is hurting.  Someone out there has just received the news that will potentially change their lives.  Someone is laying in a hospital bed and fighting for life. Someone has lost a family member that has left a gaping hole where life once was.  Be thankful for the life you have, pray for those who God puts on your heart and mind . . . let them know, and always remember, "Life IS what you make it!"

Sheila

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Sarah Day 8

I commend people like Amanda and Lars, Tammy, and Taylor who have that, "Life is what you make it" attitude about life. It seems like the people who have a right to be weak are always the strongest ones. Why is that I wonder? Maybe because they know first hand how quickly life can be turned upside down, or taken away from them completely. Or . . . maybe they were born that way. Maybe God created them to be the strongest because he knew the journey they were about to embark on. I guess I'll never know the reason. 

Struggles come into our lives in so many different ways. Like my friend Amanda, her husband had cancer. Most of their relationship was spent in the hospital. Soon after they first met, Lars was diagnosed with Leukemia. His cancer relapsed four different times before he passed at 27 years old. How incredibly unfair. But, Lars always knew that life was what he made it.

I have known Amanda for a long time and I have always known her to have that go-getter mentality. She knows what she wants and she doesn't care what other people think. She always manages to keep a smile on her face and love in her heart. Lars was just the same. Very driven and goal oriented. He was outdoorsy and goofy and he could make Amanda smile in any situation. The two of them had big plans for their future. We all knew that together, Lars and Amanda could accomplish anything. 

Lars and Amanda had the kind of love most people dream about having one day. And the sad truth is that not everyone is that lucky. Capturing their wedding was one of the most special days of my life. It was blatantly evident that all they wanted to do was be in love and be married for the rest of their lives. They spent their entire wedding day laughing with each other, and kissing on one another. They were so incredibly happy that they often forgot that I was around. The two of them cried tears of joy, and danced all night. It was a day that many of us will never forget.

These two people knew that life was not fair, but they made the best of it. God put Amanda in Lars's life because he knew she was strong enough to take on the role, and she took on the role with pleasure. Wherever Lars was, is where Amanda was. They wanted to be together and enjoy their time as long as possible. Unlike many of us, they knew that time was probably not on their side. 

Today, Amanda has two beautiful babies that she and Lars created together. Their names are Sophie and Blaise, and they are twins. Those babies are Amanda's happy, and they remind her of Lars every single day. Although I haven't had a chance to meet the babies in person, Amanda posts pictures of the twins on Facebook all the time, which so many of us enjoy. Blaise looks just like Lars, right down to his facial expressions. Sophie looks like Amanda, all bright eyed and beautiful. I know Lars is always watching down on Amanda and their babies helping to keep them safe. If life is what you make it, then Amanda and Lars made life a very, very beautiful thing.

Sarah