Someone asked me the other day if our life was hard because of my diabetes and Callie’s health challenges.
I didn’t know how to answer it.
How do I say that our lives are completely different than other peoples?
That we faced challenges that other people have no earthly idea about? That we’ve lost track of how many appointments, therapies, surgeries, and procedures we’ve done?
That simple tasks for other children have to be thought out, planned for, and modified for Callie?
How do I say we have to be tougher? Stronger? More tenacious? How do I say that I’ve wanted to take on all of her burdens for her a million times? How do I say I’ve lost track of the times we’ve cheated death?
So I didn’t.
I told him we’re warriors. Fighters. Brave.
That our challenges are part of us but don’t define us. I shared it has taught us everyone is different and deserves compassion. I shared we’ve learned to never give up, to have courage and always, always be kind. We’ve learned to see people first and abilities second. We’ve learned empathy. We’ve learned not to be defined by our challenges but that we can do whatever we set our minds to. We’ve learned the meaning of family. We’ve learned that each day brings challenges….but also beautiful triumphs.
And later, after I left him, I let a few tears fall.
Our challenging beautiful life.
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