On striving to never be ungrateful.

I’m writing this on my last full day in America for a while. That is both exciting and somewhat terrifying. I don’t want to sound ungrateful for the opportunity to live and study in Ireland for an academic year. In fact, I never want to sound ungrateful ever again. I want to strive to never be ungrateful.

Miracle Maddie

Maddie is still doing well! The report of her re-evaluation by her chiropractor stated that she’s showing neurological improvement! She’s also regained some significant reflexes, like coughing and gagging. Her eyes are reactive. The plan is to continue to work on the neural pathways that are present to continue to help her heal.

It would be understandable if I was disappointed that she was healing so slowly. But I am striving to never be ungrateful. The fact that she’s still here is truly a miracle. And she’s fighting every day. She’s working so hard to get better. That’s remarkable.

Where there’s life, there’s hope.

And in case these blog posts aren’t your thing, you can always get updates about Maddie here.

Ireland

It feels weird to write about how blessed I feel and how good life is when this has been the worst year of my life. All the same, it’s true. I would be extremely ungrateful if I chose to ignore the love that has surrounded me since Maddie’s tragic accident. And the fact of the matter is that love has always been around me but I was blinded by various distractions without value.

Last night, my friends threw me another going away party. It was perfect, absolutely perfect. I am stunned that such kind, incredible, and wonderful women would choose to support me and befriend me. Every time I tried to thank them, they’d respond with, “That’s what friends do.” I realized it’s been a long time since I had real friends. I will never be ungrateful for them.

So I’m running out of things to do other than getting on the plane and leaving. I took my PCR test and there’s only a few things left to pack. I’m getting my paperwork in order and cleaning out my car so my sister can use it while I’m gone.

And my parents are selling my childhood home, the home they’ve lived in for nearly three decades. When I fly home for Christmas, I don’t know where I’ll be flying to. I’ve never been a fan of change, but this year has changed everything. The only thing that remains a constant is the love and support of family and friends.

I will never ever be ungrateful.

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