Tears of Happiness...

I've always been a crier, I'm sure it has been the source of a lot of aggravation and embarrassment to my family over the years. If I felt the need to cry, I couldn't stop myself, as a child and even as an adult.

I found myself sitting in the living room this morning crying. 

Again.

I've cried a lot of tears in the last several years, usually from great sadness, fear, uncertainty, frustration, anger, resentment, hatred-there aren't enough words to cover the emotions I've had.

Today I know for sure that my tears were happy tears, grateful tears, hopeful tears, proud tears-again I've run out of words.

The Maven is starting her new job, no, her new career today! She's working again! The fact that she will be earning money almost seems like a bonus. She will be working in a field that she is passionate about and has experience in. She will fulfill a lifelong dream of helping other people find their way in the world. How many of us get that chance?

I think back a year and remember where we were one month after brain surgery. Over-coming that challenge in itself is a big enough accomplishment in life, but this girl, this young woman, has had so many years of so many obstacles and roadblocks. Physically, mentally, emotionally. She has met every one of these uphill battles head on and soldiered on no matter what! No matter what! That's why I cry today because SHE has done this. Yes, she has had a lot of support from family, friends, doctors, but in the end it comes down to her, the strong, resilient, optimistic person she is. A lot of people would have given up. There have been times I wanted to give up, but saw that she was fighting and therefore I would fight too. That's what we do in this family, when one can't do it anymore, one of us takes over for awhile and inspires the other to step back into the battle.

I've known a lot of warriors in my life and have drawn inspiration from them, but this girl, this woman, is the one who inspires me the most with her beautiful smile and her determination to stand up and go for it!

Thank you to all our family and friends for being such a source of support and encouragement. My blogging friends are so special because most of us have never met, yet you have all been so encouraging, understanding, joyful, whatever the occasion calls for. Thank you.

And thank you for letting me talk this out.