Fourteen years ago, my life was forever changed when one sweet but incredible girl left this earth. This young warrior taught me so much about life, about love, about faith. When she was not healed here on earth like I believed she would be, I was heartbroken and angry. I did not understand how God could take such an innocent and incredible girl from earth so soon, at the early age of just eleven years old. However, I came to understand by her family and the incredible community that surrounded her, that she was healed, just not how we had hoped. While we remained on this earth, she has gone to a better place. This young women, and the way in which her family shared their story, changed my life. It lead me to my passion, my calling, and my faith. In the years to come, my sights remained set on pursuing a career which would lead me to meet more incredible warriors just like her. This was not just my dream, but my calling.
Fourteen years later, I sit on my couch having spent much of the day reflecting the loss of yet another brave warrior. This time, a young woman who so reminded me of the one whom changed my life so many years ago. Since that time, particularly over the past year amidst the global pandemic, I have lost sight of my faith and my feelings. My faith has seemed so far away as I fight back the feelings of loneliness, pain, and fear in a world full of uncertainty and anxiety. However, yet again, I have been brought back to the my center through a young warrior, one who is teaching me that heaven is not so far away, and we will all be healed one day. That there is such beauty in finding joy in simplicity, and celebrating the true miracle and gift that this life is. Every day, every moment, is worth celebrating, together, for we are so blessed to be living life here on this borrowed earth. This young woman, shining bright, has changed us all through her love and her light. Her families’ strength and selflessness in sharing her story has allowed us to all be touched and healed, to all be led to a deeper relationship with each other and this life. She has shown us how to live bravely, live freely, and live fully. What a blessing this young woman was, and how powerful her light is still from heaven above.
I am not here to talk God, nor religion or faith, but simply this. Whether you consider yourself religious or not, these warriors have taught me some true lessons about faith. Faith in something bigger, in humanity, and ourselves. Faith that life has meaning amidst tragedy and there are bright spots even in the darkest of times. These warriors have taught me that we can find joy in the simple things, and that these are truly the big things. They have taught me to love hard, love big, and not take anything for granted, because each day truly is a gift. They have taught me how to carry on with grace, and to trust that something bigger is always happened. Because of these warriors, I have found joy. They are the true heroes in my story, and for that I am eternally grateful.