Rising from the Ashes: Embracing the 'And' in Life

Hey Kids! It is me Amy! Or you can call me Worthy, Ms. Mermaid, or Nurse Amy…Take your pick ....just typing these nicknames remind me of how loved I am and all the love I have around me…

Some of the special friends who have nicknamed me….I truly feel so loved…

Any who! As I was saying, it has been a while and that is because life hit me hard, smacking me right between the eyes, and in the gut only to knock me down. But guess what? I'm getting back up, slowly but surely, rising from the ashes. Because that is what I do best. I rise from the ashes…They say I am strong…

To be honest, I'm tired of being strong. I need a break, but it seems that life and God have different plans for me. These past eight months have been challenging, but I've learned so much that I want to share with all of you.

I can't help but think that someone else out there might be going through a loss like mine, seeking comfort in the early hours of the morning. I searched high and low on the internet, in podcasts, books, and everywhere else, but what I couldn't find was a friend. Someone who could  really relate, someone relatable and not just a distant public figure. I wanted authenticity, someone who understood me. I needed tools to navigate my situation with grace and compassion, for the sake of my three amazing boys and honestly for my own sake. 

My Three Reasons to rise up, to keep going, and to reinvent myself into the human I was made to be!

Late at night or in the wee hours of the morning, as I sought clarity and help online, I found many people wallowing in their misery. I didn't want that for myself, and I don't want that for you. Life is undeniably hard, and I wish it weren't so, but it is.

However, I firmly believe that with the support of someone who can help you through tough times, you can rebuild. And that's exactly what I'm doing, and I hope to help others rebuild too. I want to be there for those who can't afford counseling like I can, who don't have an incredible church or community to lean on, or amazing siblings who remind them of their roots. I have all of that….and then some. Have I mentioned the amazing friendships I have? I can’t even begin to tell you how blessed I am there…

Even with all this support around me, I still felt alone.Seriously! I felt alone a lot of the time and I can't imagine what it's like for those who lack such support. So, if you're in that position, I'll be your support. I'll be your friend. I'll remind you of who you are and whose you are. The most important thing to remember is that you are a child of God, and He is always there for you, by your side. Tapping into His presence is easier than we make it out to be here on Earth—trust me on that. And here's a little secret: the belief that you're not good enough is nothing but a lie. In fact, you are not only good enough, but you are worthy of God's love and presence.

At 52, being knocked down and forced to reinvent your life is no easy task. You have to grieve the life you once had, which I'm still doing, but you also have to keep living. You have to embrace the "and."

What do I mean by this? Here are some of the ways I embrace the “and”

I am sad AND I am learning to find joy.

I am mad AND I am learning how to be compassionate.

I am resentful AND I am learning to forgive.

I feel alone AND I know I am surrounded by love….

You see, you can be sad and learn to find joy. You can be mad and discover your strength. You can feel alone and know that you're surrounded by love. (The "and" is another secret.)

You can be in the dark AND in the light.

If you don’t believe me…just look at me! I'm living proof of that.

So, if you find yourself alone in something today, I want to remind you that you are not alone. That's a lie. I want to remind you that you can embrace the "and." And most importantly, I want to remind you that you are worthy, no matter what life throws at you.

So here I am, saying, "Hey kids! I'm back! Maybe not better than ever, but I'm back! And boy, do I have a story to tell you—a story that will fill your toolbox, reminding you that you're not alone, you're worthy, and sitting in the "and" is perfectly okay. You'll be okay... everything is going to be okay."

Until next time,

XO, Amy (Worthy)