Facebook post from Chris on October 27th, 2021


Enjoying some college football with some amazing people
The last two weeks have been very hard for me. I never knew my heart could be so full and broken at the same time. Why the last two in particular I don’t know. It’s never easy, but the past two have been particularly heavy. Maybe the changing of the seasons and upcoming holidays, maybe just one of those moments, or maybe even that infectious smile he manages to carry . . .
Then, this weekend we got special permission to trade. Jenn was able to go home to be with the twins, and I am with Julian at Shepherd.
As Jenn has shared on a number of instances, we hurt for what has been lost, what he’s missing out on, the challenges that lie ahead and the inability to fix it and limitations and uncertainties on just how much we can do. It also hurts seeing his amazing smile and mindset. Hurts because he has it in spite of such adversity. It hurts when I’m away, and even more when I’m with him. It’s a very long road. It hurts and also rawly pisses me off.
Julian’s amazing smile and mindset are also heartwarming. I often find myself in FaceTime conversations, lost moments of thought, conversations, and times where I just stare at some of his pictures and find myself in awe of his inner strength. And when I’m with him even more. Pictures are one thing; the moments in between the picture are something else.
There is also this amazing community of family, friends, and strangers. Those outside these walls and those within them as I know from Jenn and Julian and experienced first hand when I got here. I literally got here and walked into social hour and a party. Being the true introvert that I am, I am embraced it and enjoyed meeting some new friends. Amazing how perspectives change so radically, but they have.
May be an image of one or more people and indoor

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