Courage

It takes a certain amount of courage to deal with life in itself, a bit more to deal with a loved ones illness or difficulties, more still to deal with your own. I have recently met someone that has taken it to a new level. She has faced her disease, decided to battle it, and in doing so has set some fantastic goals for herself.

She separated from her husband and son, moving in with her parents before her diagnosis. And now, has moved from her parents (in another state) here to San Diego to await transplant, without the support of family, knowing no one here prior to coming, hell she even left her car when she came.

Having gone through the diagnosis, preparation, transplant, recovery and then rehab with my family to support me was one thing. Having done it and looking back on it I am so thankful they were, and are there. It is hard to imagine the courage it took to come to a strange town, and under go the process without someone there.

I spent a very enjoyable day with her yesterday, we hiked through the upper section of Torry Pines State Park, quite a feat in itself as the trails are not flat, the views are fantastic really something to see. Throughout the whole ordeal she complained not once, we stopped several times to rest, and other hikers would pass, there would be looks as they’d pass when they would see her oxygen tank and cannula. She not only did not note those looks, but greeted everyone and maintained a cheery attitude (myself I remember cursing my inability to do such things and looking at the world through soured eyes not being able to do those things I once could). It takes a good deal of inner strength to be able to deal with life that way, more than I have.