Last week, I attended a gathering for people living with chronic illness, many of which are invisible illnesses. It was an honor to hear stories of people navigating the world with Multiple Sclerosis, depression, Lyme disease, Endometriosis + more. The common thread was, I felt so alone. Yet, they weren’t.
WIth time, an open mind + perseverance, a community was formed. And more ease was brought into their life because of the support they received. I can personally attest to the power of community. Through life hurdles, we find our people. The ones who show up. The ones who truly listen. The ones who you know you can count on — no matter what.
The tough experiences I’ve had in my life have shaped the person I am today. And to be super candid, I wouldn’t change any of it. I am more compassionate + kind. I crave community + pride myself on showing up for others — because I know how important it is for us to move through this wild ride of life together.
Many of you know, I send cards to people going through a rough patch. Every few months, I put a call out on Facebook + Instagram; I want people to feel seen + heard. I want them to know they matter. Recently, I shared how I’ve been supporting a young woman, Laurel, with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Laurel was diagnosed earlier this year, just after giving birth to twins. Her first line of treatment did not work + she moved forward with a stem cell transplant (just like me).
I’ve been sending cards to Laurel every month. I kept thinking, what more can I do? That’s when I put an ask out on Facebook —- might my community be inclined to send Laurel a card? Well, the response blew me away. I’ve received 40+ cards for Laurel, including small gifts. Once again, I was reminded of the kindness of others, the power of community. And most importantly, we are not alone.