Let Go and Live

Every parent's greatest fear is losing their child. 

For those of us who have come within a breath of that reality, whose children face serious, life threatening challenges every day, the burden of that knowledge can be overwhelming. It permeates every aspect of life, and every layer of our being. It often feels like we are perched, precariously, on the edge of a sharp knife. 

It's extremely difficult not to let our anxieties and emotions effect our work, friendships and day to day activities. Sleep is plagued with these same fears. We hesitate to plan for the future, because we are afraid there may not be one. For the same reason, we may attempt to squeeze in as much "living" as possible because we don't know when that will be cut short and "living" will be limited to the confinement of a hospital bed.

It's parenthood amplified. It's joy and pain. Hope and despair. It's learning to let it go and live in this moment, making the best of what you've got. It's realizing that there is something bigger than ourselves. That we are not perfect. And that's okay.

It's learning to forgive.

You are doing your best; let go of your mistakes. You can't change the past; let that go, too. You can't control the future; relax. That thing you are holding onto so tightly, that fear... Let. It. Go. I'm giving you permission.

I'm giving you permission because someone did the same for me, and it has allowed me to move forward. It has allowed me to take that breath. It has allowed me to live.

Let go and live. 

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to the person who gave me permission to do the same.