five minute friday: joy

friday is nearly over; i cannot stop thinking about Sara. i feel guilty because i didn't know her as well as so many did in this blog world, but i feel like i've lost a friend. a very dear friend who showed me a million times over that illness does not have to take away your dignity, or your sense of humor. SUCH a massive realization to me over the years.


i'm linking up with the gypsy mama for five minute friday, and this is, by far, the most difficult five minute friday i've ever written.

joy

sara's mantra was; CHOOSE JOY.

no matter what: CHOOSE JOY.

every second of every day: CHOOSE JOY.

i've never met Sara Frankl, but she has impacted my life greatly. news of her impeding death has been consuming my thoughts the past few days. she is someone who battled serious illness, was in pain every day, and was confined to her house for three years. SHE COULDN'T GO OUTSIDE FOR 3 YEARS.  i think about how being confined to your home for 3 years would kill the soul and devastatingly demolish 97% of people. & yet she lived life with zest. she radiated love. sara is everything i aim to be; strong, courageous, funny, giving, LIVING. she lived. SO BRIGHT. she chose joy, she truly did. i only hope i can handle Cystinosis with more grace, more gratitude and more strength. thank you Sara. your light will shine forever.

{via}

grace is a dream for me. grace is how i want to live. grace is walking through your reality with a smile on your face and your head held high, even though you know what horrific downfalls wait for you around the corner. grace was my great grandma's middle name. grace is living every minute you are alive. grace is putting others before yourself. grace is the best response to a heartbreaking situation. grace is my incredible cousin kenley's middle name. grace holds your hand at the end of the day, gently squeezes it and assures you "you are perfect just the way you are." grace is something i want to be so tied up in, that is in interlaced into my flesh and bones. grace is something i ache to teach sookie.


i believe grace and joy are the best of friends.


you choose joy,


...and it chooses you right back.