A few weeks Sergio had the opportunity of sharing his story.  With the invitations came excitement.  Not only had he the honor of sharing his incredible story, I had the opportunity to listen to it again. One would wonder why I enjoy listening to his story when it is also my story?  I do because each time he speaks he takes Our Story a little deeper.  He exposes a little more and he takes me back to the place I once lived, in the home of hopelessness and defeat. Listening makes me realize that I now live in the home of grace and mercy. Most importantly a place where unconditional love lives.  Listening re-enforces the belief that our story is amazing.  We can wear the badge of over comers proudly.

His story is my story

As I live my day to day life I seem to forget the places that I’ve come from and the growth that I have made until I am at a place of sharing.  I scan the room for faces soaking in our story.  Some face have the look of this is unbelievable.  Some look to meet my eyes in the crowd when Sergio mentions my name.  One of my favorite parts of sharing our story is when we open up our hearts to allow others to ask questions.  At times this can created a little anxiety as you never know what my be asked.  The anxiety leaves quickly as you realize this Q and A time bridges the gap to understanding our unique story.

After hearing Sergio deliver his side of our story in such a powerful way I set out to out do him.  Next month I have been giving an opportunity to speak at church.  A little friendly competition never hurt any couple.  Right?

I began to gather my thoughts and what kind of message I hope to give when I speak sharing My side of the story.  I pondered this for a while and doubted whether My side of the story would be as impactful as Sergio’s.  After all he is the one carrying a very noticeable scar of trauma.  The wheelchair.  Sergio quickly reminded  me that what I have to share is one that others long to hear because my scars are not as visible as his.  He tells me people are intrigued in knowing how I was able to survive so much at such a young age.  “Norah when you open your heart and let the deepest part of you out, Your story is much more powerful than mine” Sergio reminds me.  He pushes me to the realization that because of me there is a story to tell.  That because of my strength we are here today.  Is this considered cheating if the one you are competing with gives you the answers that will make you come out on top?  Maybe not if he secretly wants you to beat him.

With his blessings and his leading the next few weeks I’ll be working on sharing my story in a way that transforms lives.  In a way that gives hope with the understanding that we were all created for a purpose. That whatever we have been a victim of we must make it our mission to help others overcome it.  We all have a story.  Our stories are different but our need and desire to thrive in the world are the same.

This week I encourage you to share your story.  Seek out someone that will be encouraged by your words.  There is someone today that needs to hear how you wear the badge over comer.  Someone that wants to live free from a place of hopelessness and defeat.  Keep Rolling On

A wife to a man in wheels. Sharing my life with all of the struggles in hopes to open up the highways of understanding, compassion, love, and hope.Follow me as I tread through.

This old house has brought me many years of joy. Some tears as well.  Like in all things a work in progress.  I’ve surrendered to the realization that it may always be.  I too am a work in progress.  When we set out on the mission to buy our home I knew that it would come with remodel projects,  in fact before we could move in the sink in the only bathroom the home had needed to be relocated.  It blocked the path to the bathtub for a person in a wheelchair.  This first project lead to the next to the next and to even this weekend we will engage in some kind of DIY project.  

Over the years I have learned to embrace the opportunity to work side by side with Sergio.  I know the name of most tools and I have no fear in using them.

This wasn’t always the case.  There were many times when I felt I wasn’t strong enough to do a task.  Especially when he could not reach and he refuse to let me call for help.  I often  would end up in tears.  I’d find myself right smack in the middle of a task feeling too weak to continue filled with hopelessness.  I would see the look that read “Oh how I wish I could take that tool and compete this for you Norah” written on Sergio’s  face.  Sometimes I would  take a much needed bathroom break so that he couldn’t see my tears.  In the bathroom I’d gather myself, wipe the tears, and set to conquer without him noticing.  Well, I guess when he reads this he will know why I had so many brakes.

Sergio and I call this our  marriage therapy.  We believe we needed this home and all of its repairs and upgrades to make our relationship strong.  Over the years and tears Sergio and I have learned to be a team.  In this partnership  I know that when he comes towards me with a measuring tape claiming that a project should only take a half a day to be prepared for a whole week with little sleep.  Sergio knows that when I have a vision he’d better be in the car ready to head to the hardware store.  

In all of the projects we have growth as a couple.  We used this time to focus on joy and to work out pain.  When life got tough and we needed to focus on something positive we got engrossed in DIY.  When I miscarried our twins Sergio and I set to complete a project that helped us through a painful time.  We stayed side by side for days working to remodel our bedroom. We started this project to expand our bedroom to make room for a crib.  We had to look beyond our pain to complete it knowing that a crib would not occupy that space. The day would lead through the night and would continue to work with one another in this painful time.  Assuring  one another that our future looked as bright as the walls we were painting together.  With every stroke of the brush we worked to heal.

As the years continue to pass we continue our therapy sessions.  Some have branched off to individual projects.  At times we need to create on our own leaving the other of us the opportunity to drag.  Watching Sergio  finish a project gives him the greatest satisfaction.  Especially if it’s one that I had requested.  The look on his face is priceless.  I watch him as he stares with great pride.  Using his mind and hands leads him to beautiful creations.  I benefit from our always transforming home and in our always transforming relationship.

What are activities you put your mind and soul into?  Where do you go to fight through heartache?  As you look at your creations how can you reflect?  

Now I shall go gather up the tools to Keep Rolling On.

A wife to a man in wheels. Sharing my life with all of the struggles in hopes to open up the highways of understanding, compassion, love, and hope.Follow me as I tread through.