I woke up this morning and realized it was 4 years ago today when I heard ALS for the first time. Scott had gone into the doctor a few days before because he had been slurring his words, he sounded drunk, but hadn’t been drinking. The doctor had ordered a brain scan and said they would be in touch. So when he got the call that he needed to come in to hear the results we were a little nervous. I will never forget the look on the doctor’s face as he delivered the news to us. Never forget standing in the pouring rain holding each other in shock of what we had just been told. Having Scott tell me he read about it online and how it was “grim”. The days that follow spent screaming and crying when alone and laying in bed awake all night just holding each other in shock. Our life as we knew it was over.

The year that followed was for sure the hardest of my life. I lost my best friend one piece at a time. There were things I learned though… I learned to love in a way I never knew possible. I learned laughter was the best medicine ever even if it didn’t make sense at the time. I found a connection with Scott that I had never had in our 15 years together. We found peace together in the middle of the storm. I learned that help comes in ways you never expect and often anonymously. That people come into your life at exactly the right moments when you need them the most. That community is everything and I have the best community ever!

We learned that in the end it doesn’t matter what your credit score is, what kind of car you drive or what your house is like compared to your friend’s. It doesn’t matter if your house is cleaned or if your kids get good grades. What matters is what is in your heart. Have you said what you want to say to the people you love the most? Are you at peace in your own heart? Have you done the things you want to do? Are you happy?

This picture was taken 3 months before Scott was diagnosed with ALS. It was at a friend’s wedding. We don’t have many pictures of the 4 of us together. It’s the last picture we had together as a family. It was a beautiful wedding and a wonderful time spent with friends and I will never forget it.

I’m not writing this today because I’m sad about things. I’m writing it in hopes of inspiring others to live life now. Don’t wait until something happens to inspire you to do something amazing, do it now!

Wishing all my friends and family a very Happy New Year! May it be filled with love, laughter and pure joy! I wouldn’t be where I am today without each and everyone of you! I love you all very much! ❤ As always, thanks for reading. 🙂