There are moments in life that smack you in the face with the “unexpected”. Moments that you can look back on and say…”that was when my life changed”. Nothing could prepare you for the difference you would face after “that moment”.
The birth of a baby. No matter how many books you’ve read to prepare, or if you’ve gone to birthing classes in advance…you just don’t “get it” until the moment that child is born. At that moment, you feel love like you’ve never felt before and responsibility for the new life you hold in your arms. You knew it was coming, but at that moment life changed and the feelings are so unexpected.
The death of a parent. We all know the circle of life, we know with age or sickness comes death. Sometimes we watch and wait knowing the end is coming. But the moment you lose a parent the hole in your heart is so “unexpected”. You can’t know the feeling or the sadness until it happens.
In our family, we’ve encountered the unexpected. We knew it was a possibility, even a probability…but until that moment, we didn’t even know. My brother has been diagnosed with a hereditary disease, a disabling disease. My heart aches. His moment has come. Life has changed in the most unexpected way. Each day is a struggle. Six months ago would he have foreseen life being this way? No. Not until the moment came did we really know. Know the fear, know the heartache, know the confusion. Know the courage, the bravery, the love that this moment would bring.
What my brother has shown me in his moment is hope. Is to never give up. To count your blessings. To hold on to faith, and friends and family. He has shown us honesty and transparency because he wants to help others. He believes in a cure and because he believes, others do to.
When life changes, when the path you’re on will never be the same again, when the unexpected becomes your reality…how do you handle it? I know how the brave one in my life holds on…
Isaiah 41:13 I am holding you by your right hand — I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I am here to help you. –New Living Translation
I love you David, and I’m so proud of you. — Michaela
49andcounting 
KK – You captured my “unexpected moments” of our family “struggle” very eloquently. I’m sure there will be more posts of this topic in our “future” – since we have over 24 living “at risk” – our mother, 5 children, 10 grandkids, and 8 great-grandkids now at risk – with the list ever growing with each new birth. All I can add is that “I don’t need a cure” because of Isaiah 41:13 – it’s already been provided for me. So write about that in a future post – or maybe it’s already in the archives!! So glad you are so proud of me – I am so proud of you!! (this gal can write!!)
Beautiful post about a very inspiring man and his family.