Now that I have decided to have my own blog about our journey, I feel I want to write another one. I know I just published one this morning so don't get used to me doing one this frequently. I love writing and feel I don't have enough time in general but I think it will be cathartic for me to reflect.
It is good to reflect on the people that have continued to be in our lives through this journey. We have an amazing support system here. I have a job I love that is fulfilling and rewarding with great employees that I can count on.
And we have become connected with awesome people we, or rather I, would probably never have met and gotten to know. I always knew there were people who experienced transplants near us...I admittedly never knew HOW MANY. We have an incredible hospital very close to us that has a great transplant rate. I don't know why I never really acknowledged that truly before. I have become connected and genuinely friends with so many around the world. They are people who get what Eric goes through and have been willing to open their hearts and families to me to reach out to. They are there to listen judgment free without having ever met me because they have been there. They experience things that no one else I have known could get. Now, I am not saying that people judge but it is refreshing to have people just "get it".
We have had friends from our past, high school and other previous jobs, that we have always known and have been there but have really shown their support for us. Childhood and high school friends who are amazing and make us feel like we have never been alone. And there is no amount of thank yous that can be given to come close to showing our appreciation.
I thanked someone on the phone the other day and I was told I don't have to thank them because of what we have going on. But not showing our gratitude is not how I am. When people are there, and showing their compassion to us, I can only think to say thank you. I doesn't begin to cut it but it is what I have.
And then there are the new friends, who come from all walks, who are still there and have our backs. They say that raising a child takes a village. Well, there is no child directly in this scenario, but this journey is definitely made easier with a village. I have always had a hard time asking for help...hell, my job is solving problems others have and teaching kids to problem solve. But I always forget that I also teach them to learn that when their words alone don't solve something, they are to ask for help because we are there and that is what we can do...offer our help.
So that part of this journey is a work in progress but has gotten easier...asking for help. Eric and I know we are at the juncture where we can't walk this alone anymore. We agree that while he is in the hospital I need to keep some sense of a normal schedule and work the with kids I serve but also to make time to be there with him. The whole package keeps me going especially when I walk back into work after being gone for a bit and a pack of kids yell my name and run at me to hug me because they missed me.
So there is where we are. I will touch base another time on a huge factor and that is the amazing nursing staff on the cardiac floor...that is a whole other post. Thank you all for taking the time to read what I have to share...again it means more than I can say!
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