the boot
Seriously, this boot thing is getting old. The past few days I was completely down about it, feeling like everything has been on hold, waiting for my foot to get better. I have been going to the gym, just working on upper body, I’ve been doing abdominal work and some boxing, but still, I feel like I’m missing out.
It’s been a giant pity party over here, that was until I talked to one of my favorite people in the world, my Aunt Leisel.
So, first you should know that Aunt Leisel is awesome and you would probably love her. She is actually an Aunt on my husbands side, but we didn’t even meet her till this past year. We had communicated a bunch via e-mail and the internets, which was awesome.
And honestly, I’m pretty sure that I would not have been able to get through the past year if it weren’t for her. She has been the most encouraging person in our lives. When we visit she accommodates us with completely loving and open arms. It’s like being at home, we’re completely comfortable and taken care of when she’s around (well and her wonderful and loving husband .. Uncle Gregg). When I tell her something I’ve done – she bursts with joy, if I tell her I’m having a hard time with something, I know she’ll be there, she is constantly encouraging not just me, but my husband as well. Often, I don’t think she even knows how much she means to us.
And I haven’t even told you about her daughter. My Aunt adopted a LOT of children, one of these beautiful children had pretty severe disabilities (she still does). It is a full-time job for my Aunt, and you would think she would be bitter or down about it, but she never is – she is always upbeat and hopeful. Her daughter is my age, and requires 24/7 care and my Aunt has really made the best out of a situation that I don’t think many thrive in. And her daughter? I think she might just be one of those shining lights in the world that doesn’t come by very often. Her smile, seriously lights up a room.
They have been really working on health this past year, and they all have been doing awesome at it. In the midst of me being all down and depressed about my foot, Aunt Leisel was telling me about her work out routine and her daughter’s. I found out that my cousin (her daughter) has been working out an HOUR a day. AN HOUR PEOPLE! Here I am complaining about my stupid foot, and there she is working out hard every day. Seriously? Despite all of her ‘limitations’ she knows it’s important to be healthy and move, and her health is greatly improving because of it.
It was a reminder to me to be thankful and to be a shining light in this world, no matter what. It was a reminder that there are people out there that would love if there only trouble was a hurt foot. It was a reminder that there are bad circumstances, and it really just depends on how we choose to look at them, and to overcome them. I was thinking about my Aunt today and thinking how she could just be down all the time, she could just be upset about her circumstances, but she chooses not to.
I’ve decided to make this a much bigger part of my life, choosing to find the happiness and hope in every thing that I’m doing. On the bad days, the just ok days, and the good days. I want to make the most out of my life, even when I feel like life is not being so fair. Because, in the end? Life isn’t fair to many people, but I think we all have that moment when we can choose to be that smile that brightens up a room. And in the end? I think that might be what makes the biggest difference.
I wish you could all meet my Aunt, Uncle and cousin – and just pocket a little bit of that love and light that they all have – I think the world would be a better place for it.
