For the past couple of weeks my heart has been heavy and hurting. While I’m still happy and hopeful, feeling blessed and fortunate – it has certainly been a bit of a struggle trying to accept the things in life I cannot change. I’m actually really not good at that – accepting the things I cannot change and trying to understand that I can’t change everything, or everybody. It’s been quite the struggle to accept without putting up a fight, and quite a struggle to not want to put up a fight. But that’s the way life goes, and that’s how the cards fall sometimes. The key to survival is not focusing on all the moments, minutes and days that take the strength and exhaustion out of you. The key to survival is to remember that everything happens for a reason, that the pain you feel is what makes you stronger in the end and the unfortunate events that happen in life direct you to your path to make you who you are meant to be. The key is to remember that even on your darkest, weakest day – you’re getting a little bit stronger.
My heart feels heavy but it is filled with love for a long time friend and might as well be family member, Catie Alcasid. Us South Africans have become each other’s family since immigrating to a new country where blood family is scarce. And while Catie and I haven’t lived in the same city in quite some time – family is family no matter where we are in the world. This week, Catie’s husband passed away. He was a man of happiness, laughter and love. Anthony Alcasid was a gift to the world, a delight to be around and contributed positively to his community. Catie has inspired us all with her on-going faith and strength as she was showered with support from hundreds of people both at the hospital and at the Celebration of Anthony Alcasid’s Life last night. There is no doubt that Catie and her family may have some trying times ahead, but they are certainly not alone. We are all here for you and your family, your strength is an inspiration and your faith is incontestable. The key to survival is stay strong, keep believing in the good of the world, and to remember – even on your weakest day, you’re getting a little bit stronger.
My heavy heart and stubborn willingness to accept what I cannot change – only eludes me to once again think about how precious life is. My heavy heart wants to tell every person I care about, just how much they mean to me. It makes me want to tell the people I miss, that I think about them every single day. I want to tell the people that I love, that I love them even if they don’t love me back. Do the people you care about, know you care about them? Life is so precious, and every day truly is a gift. Live everyday as if it were your last. My heavy heart has been a struggle and a challenge, but I’m still hopeful that it will lead me right where I need to be. Even on my weakest day, I’m getting a little bit stronger.
Love,
Chianne
Just, Love Life 