May

May is ALS awareness month. I have been thinking about writing something all month as I read what others have gone through. There are many brave and beautiful people out there. Many have passed on and their loved ones are continuing their legacy. Many are living their lives in the most meaningful way possible. There are too many diagnosed after us who are already gone. And nothing too exciting in the 'find a cure' department. In reading so many testimonies I have noticed a few things.

I have never heard anyone say 'Why me?'  I see how brave and positive people are. I see that we can rise above our suffering to live a life of meaning and purpose. 

ALS is not a disease that affects one person. It changes families and communities. 

People have all kinds of coping mechanisms and when you find what works, just do it. Nothing is one size fits all and nobody has the right to tell you how you should be handling things. If they do, just eat chocolate. 

Everyone can help someone. Today I need help, yesterday you needed help and tomorrow it will be someone else. Be the kind of person who appreciates help and is quick to give it as well. 

We are so much more then our bodies and our abilities. We are a G-dly soul capable of reaching so far beyond our limitations. The only limits we have are the ones we put on ourselves. 

All month I have been reading about a challenge to use three words to describe ALS. Many combinations have crossed my mind and most of them are not fit for printing. But the one that I really thinks works for my family is A Love Story. Although I hate this disease and everything it does to a person, we are not a disease. We have learned a whole lot from this process. I have seen the love of brothers within the community, the way Yitzi loves G-D, and the way we love each other.