Watching someone struggle with ALS is heartbreaking. Everyday is a battle, as anyone who has a sick loved one or had a sick loved one can attest to. It tests your strength to stay emotionally strong, it tests your limits physically, it challenges your life and the way you live. Most importantly, through sharing stories to others, you can find support and strength to fight the battle in unexpected ways.
The other day, I talked to a man who will be printing the tshirts for the ALS walk. He shared how he lost his father in law to ALS. His father in law searched for a diagnosis for years and finally was diagnosed on a Tuesday with only 6 months to live. Sadly, he gained his freedom from ALS just 3 days later. ALS sucks!
My sister received this FB message from a coworker who just moved to KY last week. Michael's intent was to offer words of encouragement to Erica, but as she shared this letter with me, I was touched and moved by his words...so much so, that I just had to include it this blog. Sorry Michael, I hope I didn't ruin your hardass rep!!! Lol. Thanks for allowing me to share your message and thanks for donating to ALS.
Hey friend,
Just settling in here in Louisville and got a chance to flip through FB. A simple "like" to your recent posts about your Dad would be woefully inadequate. I would hate to ruin my rep as "the hardass who fires people", but the courage you, and your family, is showing brought me to tears (yes, I have a heart, but don't tell anyone). I am fiercely loyal to my family and shared a bond with my "Pop" that appears to be similar to the one you have with your Dad. I know how rewarding that can be and, I'm betting, that you would be the first to say how lucky you are.
I've always held you in high esteem, professionally, but I feel blessed to get to see a different side of you. I know what it feels like to see your father as a hero, and also to watch that hero struggle with a significant medical condition. Our language lacks sufficient adjectives to accurately describe just how much it sucks. I've always hated the word "fair". Simply doesn't exist. Even for the most positive, hopeful and upbeat people, anger and sadness can begin to creep into the picture. I pray that your family continues to use humor, love and even the ocassional cry, to navigate the path ahead.
How great it is that your family is facing this disease with humor and love. I'm guessing these are two things with which you were raised and two things that will continue to play a significant role in who you are.
We are simultaneously blessed, and cursed, by having such unwaivering loyalty to family. Many of our peers will never know the love that this kind of bond with a parent creates.
The price we pay for such fortune is the pain of helplessness we feel as we try to help them. I suppose it's quite similar to the love and devotion our parents felt for us as children. It really does come full circle.
I would be honored to donate to the cause in your Dad's name. Take care.......and don't forget, that means taking care of yourself, too.
All the best,
Michael
We are also creating team t-shirts to be handed out the day of the walk. Shirts will be around $12.00.
Once you register, we will contact you about ordering a shirt. T-shirt order deadline is September 15th.
Visit the ALS site today:
http://webcsoh.alsa.org/site/TR/Walks/CentralandSouthernOhio?fr_id=8156&pg=entry
No comments:
Post a Comment