Every once in a while something speaks right to my heart. For a while now I’ve been struggling with the death of my mother in law. For the past 16 years I’ve struggled with the death of my father, the loss of my parents who gave me up at only 18 months old. As an adult I’m just starting to grasp my feelings about what was my life growing up and everything I have been through.Maybe this spoke to my heart more because of the person who sent it, I met her working with brands as she works for a very large pr firm. She shared with me her loss and over time we’ve created more than just a business relationship a real one, something that goes right to the heart. Maybe it spoke to me even more because it was her who sent this to me.The quote goes:
The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.
I’ve always thought of myself as brave, facing the world alone. A parentless child and now mother trying to grasp at what used to be her life. Losing my mother in law this year has got to be the hardest thing I’ve ever been through in my adult life. The scope of what was finding my father dead at age 10 wasn’t even this hard, or maybe that’s what makes this harder.
I look at beautiful women like my best friend Sandra. She’s been through what most wives and mothers could not imagine. A 6 year old with cancer, and husband too. Almost simultaneously hit with a disease that will affect them the rest of their lives. It will bring her terror always and I know that. I look at other women in my life my Great Great Grandmother who lived through the hardest of time, raised her children and her childrens children and still managed to love her Great Great Grandchildren like they were hers. My friend Lindsay is one of the most compassionate people I’ve ever met, she’s got a heart of gold and a mind of her own. She’s smart and funny and I love just being with her. I think we’ve all got friends like that, right? The old soul who always seems to just know how you feel, that’s her.
My friend Jillian is one of the best friends I know, she gives her heart to everyone. The great love of her life is her best friend Vanessa. Vanessa has a very bad form of cancer and after fighting for many years she has chosen not to go forward with treatment. Vanessa is not even 30 years old. The beautiful person that Jillian is she stands beside Vanessa each day. I couldn’t imagine living every day knowing that my best friend was going to pass away but somehow Jillian finds the courage to move forward and so does Vanessa. Their friendship is timeless, one that most wish they had. They both are an image of beauty.
It’s made me truly believe that there are plenty of beautiful people in this world. They’ve been through a lot in their lives, and they’ve always managed to make it through. Strong, caring, loving individuals who may struggle but are compassionate enough to step outside of themselves and care for me. Beautiful people are more than just beauty on the outside or what they show to the world. It’s shown in every day acts, in how they treat others, in how they truly show who they are there.Every day I am surrounded by such beautiful people, aren’t we all?
great posts! you also have great bloggers friends I noticed.. I hope one day i can write inspirational stories like you, and have such a huge fan base!
That was beautiful Kristin you brought tears to my eyes. I love you!
How did you get so incredibly sweet???! Thank you so much for everything, and for reaching out to me way back when. You’re an inspiring, dedicated mother and business woman, and I just… Am so glad we met!
What wonderful friends you have!! It’s so nice to have those friends to help you get through anything that pops up in life!
You have some great friends Kristin! Ones that are with you through thick and thin! Those are the best! Hang in there mama…the holidays will be hard but just think of that little one growing inside of you. It’s like a gift you were given after one has been taken away.
Love ya girl! 🙂