Thank you to those who acknowledge

I was reflecting today on how many people have acknowledged that Dave and I struggle, and who, by acknowledging it and asking about it, strengthen and help us.

• I think about Dave's sister, who sent him a message just letting him know that she was thinking about him and really cares about him.

• I think about Cam and Christina, who read my blog and comment to let me know that they care about what I post and what I am going through.

• I think about my parents, who ask about how Dave is doing and then ask, "And how are you handling that?  How are you doing?"  and who send us little gifts in the mail.

• I think about Dave's mom, who is always willing to talk to him and who always makes him feel better.

• I think about students in my program, who occasionally make comments about how they know I am carrying a lot, and how am I handling my schoolwork, too?

• I think about my friend Jeni, who sometimes just takes me out to dinner, just to do something special for me.  

• I think about far-away friends who drove all the way to our apartment just to drop off a gift and to see how we are doing.  

I don't think I have any illusions of uniqueness; I know that all of these people have their own struggles, some of them much weightier than mine.  But that doesn't take away that our struggle is hard for me, and hard for Dave.  It makes it so much easier to have people acknowledge that it's hard, ask how we are doing, and show that they care.  I am so grateful for these people.  I am so grateful that there are so many, so many people who check in with us and how their care.  I am so grateful for how they make everything a little lighter to bear.