It’s Thoughtful Thursday and today is Thursday, March 26th, the 15th Thursday of 2015. Today’s inspirational quote is extremely personal to me and one that I have learned about myself while going through a very hard time in my life. It is a quote from musical great, Bob Marley and a favorite of mine.

This is a picture of my son and I in his hospital room at the Children’s National Medical Center soon after he was diagnosed with Leukemia. As  you can see, he was in the midst of losing his hair. I can not explain to you without crying just how we both made it through. All that I can say is that it was the grace of God, the prayers of family and friends and our own personal mindsets. Throughout his illness, I of course worried about the big “C” word but not for one second did I let any doubt seep into my mind that my child would not reach remission. It was a long and hard road for sure but I never let the pressure get me down and during this time, I NEVER EVER let him see me cry. I did not want him to think that I was worried or sad in any way. I refused to do so and wanted to mentally and emotionally keep things as calm and normal as possible for both him and myself. Now anyone with a child with cancer can tell you that everything goes so fast and you really have no time to react in the beginning. But as time settles, medical routines are put into place and what you thought to be a few hours spent in the emergency room turn into months in the cancer unit, you learn that you must create a halo around your child and protect their spirit as much as you can.

I have always had a happy spirit and I say to you, live & love with your whole heart and know that you are strong enough for whatever life throws your way. For whatever you may be going through right now or in the future, now that you are innately built with the divine skills to see yourself through most anything. Whether you are dealing with addiction, an illness, loss of a loved one or a break-up, now that you will be okay and is you feel that you just can’t do it alone that it  is okay to also ask for help. Please just hold on because in all of the darkness that you may see, know that there is also light. You must have the patience, the diligence and the strength to see yourself through to the end and find that ray of light that will let you know that you will be okay. I am in no way promising that you won’t come out of you trial without any scars (mentally, physically and/or emotionally) but like all scars, yours will heal and all that is left is a faint reminder of just how beautifully strong you really are.

Live and love in positivity,

Picture of my son and I is my own.