Last week was set up to be one of many super busy weeks of medical appointments. Then, another appointment was added to last week’s list as a special surprise. My husband and I did our best to take the week one moment at a time, and we did a great job. At one of the appointments, the medical practice lost my pre-paperwork even though the patient portal stated that I had submitted it, so they asked me to complete the pre-paperwork again. [Side Note: This is a normal occurrence for me, so I am not sure why medical practices even ask for pre-paperwork online at this point.] Before I was done completing the pre-paperwork again, the nurse called us back. I apologized to the nurse for not having completed the paperwork yet and made a joke about the entire ordeal, and the nurse just stared at us with no affect. She then proceeded to be one of the most unfriendly nurses we have ever experienced, and that is saying a lot at this point in our lives. She was so rude for no apparent reason that my husband made a joke about it after she left the room, and we both laughed at the absurdity of the situation.
The next day, I was telling the story to my oldest cousin before we started our work meeting. Here is what she said about me and my husband after hearing the story and laughing about it with me:
“What I love the most about you two is that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always humor.”
And, it is true. We are laughing even through the pain. It is not that we are in denial about what is happening in our life. We have plenty of difficult days. It is more about us enjoying each other’s company regardless of the situation. We have a deep amount of love and respect for each other, and we truly enjoy spending time together even when the situation is less than ideal. And, there is a certain level of humor that is only possible when there is a deep and intimate connection between two people.
I am frequently asked by people on the outside how I am so emotionally resilient, and I don’t always know what to say. However, I do know that humor is a key factor.
Even though my husband and I are living a life that looks vastly different than how we pictured our life to be, there is so much for which I continue to be grateful. While much has been taken, even more remains.
(credit: @katecbowler)
My husband went on a bike ride this last weekend. When he saw this flower, he stopped to take a picture.
When he got home, he texted me the picture and told me that since he is unable to give me flowers right now due to my immune system, he decided to give me flowers via a picture instead.
What remains in life when so much has been taken is a key factor for emotional resilience. Love, respect, humor, and joy, to name only a few.
Brutal. Lost pre-paperwork. Unfriendly medical staff.
Beautiful. What remains in life when so much has been taken: Love, respect, humor, and joy.
Just another day of . . . This Brutiful Life: The Brutal & Beautiful Moments of My Life.
This Brutiful Life 