Bestfriends: Your sisters from another mother in other words

Today, I sat and just took a second to sit and do nothing and two of my closest friends (my best friends) popped in my head. 

As a wife, mom, student, worker I often grow busy and take for granted how much they mean to me and the sanity, love, advice, hugs, and many other countless things they provide my life and someone that can not possibly to be quantified. 

So this post is dedicated to them thanking them for what they have done for me:

First in dedication to Jaime:

You are one of my oldest friends, you were in my wedding, you and I are were destined to be from the moment we met. I have memories upon memories with you that make me smile every time I think of them. Six flags, Chinese pick up on the side of the road, boob padding, hugs, a shoulder to cry on, a person that loves me despite my many shortcomings, a person that has never judged me, and a friend who I can count on any day of the week. Our long talks about our spiritual lives and boys and children and school. There may be breaks in our closeness, but I know that if I called you at 3 am you would be there and I wouldn't have to apologize or explain or even worry about it...you would just be there.

You are amazing and meant for so much in this world.                                                                You are an amazing daughter, wife, sister, friend. You touch people and you are special. I love you and hope that we spend our many years on this earth building our memories together!

Second one is to Allison:


You are technically a new friend, but yet I should have known you from birth! These past two years have been so rough for me in many ways and I made it through a lot because of you. Your love, and judge-less advice and ears have been life savers for me. You have talked me through sickness, work,school, marriage, friendship, family, and just plain fun stuff. We joke all the time that we will be old girls sitting in a rocking chair and I know we will!
Coming from our favorite show: You are my person, my sister.

You know me so well, sometimes a little too well :) We laugh, and I have cried, and you are just amazing.
You treat my kids like they are your own and spoil them like you're their aunt. I love you and I love your family and I pray that we never go a day without talking.

You are an amazing human being, wife, teacher, friend ,and you can do anything you want to do. You have touched and will continue to touch people because you are that special.

I am so thankful that God chose to cross our paths and look forward to the rest of our lives!

Life with Pain

Today's blog post is something that I don't necessarily talk about that often. Why? Because it is something that can cause shame and guilt and make me feel like a burden to other people. What can cause that? Chronic Pain.

People who live in chronic pain or with a chronic illness get labeled as dramatic, drug seekers, weak, sometimes even hypochondriacs, and so much more. I have heard the gamut, from people I love and people I barely know a like.

I have multiple family members that also suffer from chronic pain and chronic illnesses and diseases. They range from fibromyalgia, thyroid disorders, headaches/migraines, arthritis, diabetes, and to the more serious things like my dad and aunt's cystic fibrosis.

Sometimes people say the wrong things or assume the wrong things.

My cousin, Shannon, is one of the strongest people I know. She lives in pain, daily, and when your with her she laughs and jokes and has such a big heart and such a good attitude despite the fact that hugging her is literally one of the most painful things you can do to her.

Just because someone smiles and laughs and doesn't tell you every time their hurting, doesn't mean it magically went away. It means they are trying to not be a miserable person and they are trying to be strong, so people don't feel sorry for them or so people don't get annoyed by them. Chronic pain like cysts, fibromyalgia,  arthritis, stomach pain, and headaches are invisible. If you ask me how I am feeling I will probably tell you that I am tired, Every time. I am. It is taxing on a body to experience pain so frequently, both emotionally and physically. It is emotionally draining when you have to go the doctor yet again or even worse, the hospital. It is not wanted or appreciated or liked, it sucks. It can be depressing and a source of great worry and guilt on the sufferer and it is extremely rigorous and challenging on the care giver.

I am not looking for pity or anything of that nature, I know that there is a light at the end of my tunnel. I have family members who probably don't necessarily have that light.

I guess I just want to remind people that chronic pain is a thing and just because there is no cough, sneeze, or they don't lay around in bed, doesn't mean that some days every step they take is difficult and some days they give everything to show up to something and be present. When they hear someone doubt their words or doubt their pain or their condition it hurts them deeply and can cause great guilt.

Do encourage them and when they are having a good day don't say, oh it must be getting better, just enjoy the day with them. When they are having a bad day, be compassionate on them and don't blow it off because it happens so often. Love on them the way they need it and be a light and a source of joy and encouragement to them.

Love,
Sam