Life Lessons

Every day, I cross the link into the hospital. So you think on days that I play the patient’s wife it wouldn’t phase me much. It is business as usual, right?! Well, my logical assumption couldn’t be more wrong.

In the past 4.5 months, I have filled the patient’s wife role a lot. For our story, that means being Brad’s driver, cook, house cleaner, insurance provider, friend, the source of entertainment and social interaction. It also means, I spend a considerable amount of time waiting for Brad. In my time waiting for Brad, I have learned so much about our marriage, life, faith and myself.

1. Average patient families do not pack their backpack and work while waiting. God has given Brad and I the strength to normalize and thrive in this chaos. Every time, I think I can’t possibly be stretched anymore, I find a way. I one time asked Brad, “What do normal patient families do?” and he responded quickly “worry.” I laughed and told him “who has time for that I have a lesson to plan and a report to pull.”
2. Some expectations are needed for sanity, but don’t over plan or set your expectations too high. Some of the best moments, Brad and I have had over the past few months have been born out of spontaneity. No expectations of what the night would be so you could genuinely enjoy your company and night. This is still new for a type A person like me, but something I hope to adopt fully. You find joy so much easier when you don’t put all these restrictions on it.
3. Never make an assumption about the person next to you. You might think you have the worst hand, but you never know what the person next to you was given. Now I am not suggesting you go around asking everyone, “How are you? No, really how are you?” I am suggesting be a bit kinder, smile a bit longer and talk to a stranger. You might be the only bright point in their day, or they could turn out to be the highlight of yours.
4. My husband is the best thing that has ever happened to me. He is literally, the best thing since sliced bread. This is a real accomplishment for Brad since I have had a blessed little life. Brad inspires me every day to be the best version of myself. Every day, I wake up and thank God that he made Brad just for me. Even with all the craziness of life, I still think how am I lucky enough to be his wife? I am blessed enough to share my life with his funny, intelligent, inspiring, kind, generous and good looking man. Holy crap, what did I do to deserve him?
5. Everything will be ok. Life might not look how you imagined, and you may have what feels like a thousand unanswered prayers, but it will be ok. Every day, I read two reflections, Blessed is She, and Jesus is calling. Between the two, they have curated something beautiful just for me. It is simple.

• God knows where you are going.
• Unanswered prayers are always heard, and we are waiting for something else to align.
• Praise Him even through your worry, pain, anger and uncertainty.
• I know that God is building us a life that is more stunning than I could ever imagine.