A True Life Story (Having Fun When Life Hurts)

This Spring we celebrated my husband’s 40th birthday in Mexico with our family.  We had never been to an all inclusive before.  Time was spent relaxing, laughing, connecting with family members, eating…you know, all the luxurious activities!  We were feeling thankful.

No matter where I am I still need to check in on my business and clients to make sure everything’s running smoothly.  We had internet connection but it was limited.  I needed to walk up to the front lobby to connect to wifi.  One morning I was doing just that.  The lobby was located in the main building where we ate.  I could smell breakfast and the greenery outside.  I heard the birds in the trees just above me.  I’ve always been thankful for my senses.  Just didn’t know how my senses would be hit that morning.

Facebook was my first stop.  I landed on a personal message that seemed quite heavy.  I read that my dear friend Sarah Ireland had supposedly died.  What THE!?  This can’t be right.  I’m reading this on FACEBOOK!  This is a VERY BAD prank.  So I re-read and re-read it.  She was really gone.  After the shock and pain set in I got out of there like lightning and the tears set in.

Here is what I am thankful for about that event.  I was in her beloved Mexico when I found out, a country she loved dearly.  I was surroundd by MY loving family.  Nothing changed about my surroundings.  Natural beauty still engulfed me.  The sun still shone down on me.

There is something strangely sweet about feeling the pain of loss and remembering someone.  I was in a Zumba class a few weeks ago and dancing to a spanish song that reminded me of Sarah again.  I did everthing possible to hold back the tears while I moved my body joyfully.  Deep joy and deep pain can go together.  I still want Sarah back, but thankfully, I believe I will get to see her again.

Sometimes finding something to be thankful for is tough.  When we do, our perspective changes who we are on the inside and what life has to offer.  My desire for you on Thanksgiving is that you would have immense amounts of joy even during painful times.  Choosing to focus on everthing that is good and lovely and beautiful in your life will change how you see everything!

With love,

Amy