Gratitude and Appreciation in Sickness and in Health
Tags: Gratitude, Giving, Appreciation, Covid 19, Health

Hold on tight to those you love

To my Love,

In sickness and in health. I never thought our wedding vows — those beautiful words we shared in a perfect setting in Montego Bay, Jamaica in 2009 — would be tested in a manner they have been this year. All this before COVID-19 turned this world upside down.

You have always been my rock, but truth be told, I never imagined the extent to which I would have to rely on your strength, tenacity, fortitude and love to get me through these past few months. You imparted each of those qualities on to me and gave me the inner power to face this journey with foresight, positivity and FIGHTER STRENGTH — for that I will be forever grateful. You talked about the access, the network and the means we had that enabled me to get the best care and brought a perspective only your heart for those less fortunate could — why didn’t every person have such access? With this mindset and in the midst of caring for me, you embarked on a mission to figure out how everyone could have access to the care they needed in times of need. You researched everything and prepared for each appointment so that I would not have to; you asked questions of each of the doctors and took notes so that I would not have to; you allowed me to make informed decisions based on facts not fear, and above all you gave me the power to make decisions that were right for ME, incorporating both conventional and naturopathic medicine, even though that was not a path that you would have chosen. That takes a special person and I am so blessed and grateful that you are my special person. THANK YOU.

The day we learnt that I had cancer was one of the hardest days (not the hardest but definitely up there with some hard days). You were right there with me — to hold me, to love me, to give me the freedom to cry and scream and also allow me the space to feel sorry for myself. You encouraged me to look at the positive side of the type of cancer I was diagnosed with, the ability to be cured and quickly, the research and options that were available — you made me BELIEVE that I had the health, the strength and the inner power to fight this and heal, and along the way share my journey to help others. You held me so tight for hours on end — quietly imparting your wisdom and knowledge to enable me to garner my own perspective, courage and resolve that was required to face this speed bump — and a speed bump it was. You reminded me of how this was part of my story to inspire others, to use my platform as a voice for those who did not have one, to empower other women on a similar journey — and just like that you turned my fear into force. That takes a special person and I am so blessed and grateful that you are my special person. THANK YOU.

I may not express my gratitude and appreciation for you and all that you do nearly enough but know that not a day goes by that I don’t count my blessings for you and for our life together. I knew from the first day we met that you are one extraordinary person — and every day I realize just how EXTRAORDINARY you truly are. THANK YOU.

I love you and am so filled with pride for all that you are and all that you do. You make me a better person — and I am so blessed and grateful that you are my special person. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU for all that you are and all that you do. THANK YOU for loving me unconditionally and caring for me in sickness and in health. THANK YOU for all that you do for others. THANK YOU for leading by example and inspiring others to give back. THANK YOU for being my rock. THANK YOU for so much more.

I love you with all my heart,

V

For those reading this letter I leave you with this: So often we take the strength and inner comfort that our partners, family and friends provide for granted, we get frustrated and annoyed and are quick to judge, but how often do we show or express our gratitude and appreciation. If there’s one thing that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us, it is that we are all inter-dependent and inter-reliant — let’s not take that for granted. Overuse the word THANK YOU and begin to see for yourself the impact this makes on the lives of others.

With gratitude and appreciation for giving me the opportunity to share a part of my story.