A new discovery, and more perspective

It's been a couple of weeks since I've linked up to Maxabella's "Things I'm Grateful For" linky.  I've made no secret (I just grimace to say that, considering what's coming) that my health battles have become just horrendous and most of my time is spent with my laptop or a book in bed, changing positions every few minutes to relieve (or move) the pain. 

But tonight, I was browsing on Facebook and Carly from Radio Carly shared a blog link. 

And at first, I thought I was just discovering a new blog, a young, but wonderful writer.  I emailed her to tell her so.

I read further, and discovered though that this young 18 year old woman is brave, eloquent, and going through such terrible heartache, has suffered such terrible loss.  She is ill, truly ill.  Far more sick than I - the kid of sick that has her in a wheelchair, has her spend months at a time in a hospital.  The kind of sick that means her closest friends are found within the sterile walls of a hospital, and so often leave this earth far, far too soon.

And as I read, I wept for those she had lost.  I wept for her, for her struggle.  And I wept for how beautiful her soul is.  For only a beautiful soul can write words so exquisite.

First, I'm grateful to have 'met' her.  I hope we will continue to chat, either on FB or her blog.  But also, I hope that when the pain is too much and I'm weeping into Joel's arms because after 13 years, I can't see an end to this, I will remember Jess.  And that she makes the choice, every day, to keep finding beauty.

And I will make sure, make absolutely sure that I find some of my own.

So thank you Carly, and thank you Jess.  You're two amazing women, who genuinely inspire me. 

I know Carly has a fan base and is well known in the blogosphere.  Jess has been blogging just a few months, and is not nearly as well known as she ought to be.  I say we visit, encourage her to keep writing.  That type of talent should be shared.

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