This quote is hard for me and that’s one of the greatest reasons I’ve selected it, to push myself into deeper truths. It’s easy to say, “We only know happiness because we’ve experienced sadness,” but it’s something else to be reminded of in losing my son, my Dad, jobs, dreams and friends that has actually helped me be someone better in this world. It hurts truthfully and I hate when I hear or even when I’m saying, “This just makes the path clear for something better.” Ugh. I wanted that job, not “something better.” I miss my friend, not “something better.” But once I take a deep breath and really think about it. I have grown the most through the most pain filled times. I’m not saying that makes losing my best friend worth the growth… but I know he would be proud of the ability to bend, and remain the strong, random person I am.

I guess what I really want people to cling to today is that grief, recovery, life… these are all things filled with pain, joy, ups and downs… but we hold on, bend a little and move forward one breath at a time because that is who we are. We are creatures of resilience. Truly we are unshakeable.

Sarah Deats

Sarah Deats is the Hope Inc. Stories Inspiration Engineer. Her goals are to make a connection with everyone that she can while building community, spreading hope, and sparking change. She believes that while life may not be easy, it is never lived alone.