Grateful Survivor

I am honored to share with you this week’s guest blogger, my wonderful friend, Jennifer Ford.  Jenn is a “Grateful Survivor.” I hope you are moved and inspired by her and her story as much as I am.  Enjoy!

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In the past 10 months I have earned the word “Survivor” as a part of who I am and who I will always be.  I survived a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (a blood cancer), 6 months of chemotherapy, 1 month of radiation, a marital separation in the middle of it all and in the next few months I will survive a final divorce. I don’t consider myself a victim anymore. I am grateful for the experiences.

During these challenging times I was surrounded by wonderful people.  God placed each and every one of them in my life to carry me through and cheer me on.  I learned a lot about myself but mostly I learned about others and what they are capable of – good and bad. In the end, I am stronger because of it all and know that I can survive anything that is put in my way.

My message and reason for sharing my brief story is to help others realize that life is precious.  I lost 8 months of my life due to circumstances and things happening out of my control.  I don’t remember very many details of it thankfully. My life is very new right now. New inside and out – new hair, new friends, and new ways of seeing the world.  It’s an adjustment.  Some days I can look in the mirror and “know” me. Other days I see a stranger.  I have a lot more to go through with change, but I know now that change is good. It is each of us that fears and resists it. God brings you through challenges so you can see what you are really capable of.  You are the only one person that you have control over.

Be grateful for each moment you have, each breath you take and make sure the people in your life are of good character and strength. You never know when you will need them the most.

On a final note, if you don’t know what it feels like to truly love yourself and others…learn now before it’s too late.  Always have faith that everything happens for a reason and believe that no matter what happens you will be a survivor.  You’ve earned it and be grateful for it.

Many blessings,
Jennifer

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Jennifer Ford is a savvy mommy of two beautiful children.  She is a talented and creative decorative artist and interior decorator.  To learn more about Jenn, check out her website at http://www.jforddesigns.com/.  To read more of Jenn’s journey and be inspired by her honesty and bravery, I encourage you to head over to her blog at http://jforddesigns.blogspot.com/