Texas is just coming out of the worst winter snow and ice storms in at least a decade. We had temperatures in the single digits. The worst part of all of it is that in order to preserve our energy grid, power outages were necessary. I experienced no power in our home for three days. at least four million people in Texas had no power for over a day. people scrambled to stay warm. It was really awful. Now as we thaw out, supermarkets have bare shelves. Here is a link explaining the situation today.
Our family went to stay at my son’s home. He had power. One thing cancer has taught me is that it is not good for me to spend too much time mourning what I have lost, or wishing for life how it was before cancer. I feel better when I am searching and finding joy in the midst of the battle, or on particularly bad days. During Icemeggeden, I was so thankful to be able to spend time with my son and his family. We had so much joy together. I am grateful that our family is close to each other. It took me a while to learn how to find joy. If you have not read about when I realized I needed to find joy read about my choose joy journal here.
Now that temperatures are reaching above freezing, Texas is melting and unfortunately, many people are discovering that they have frozen and broken water pipes. Homes are being damaged as water pours into their homes. With cancer I learned that things could always be worse, so I try to enjoy the health that I have. Fortunately, we do not have broken pipes in our home. There is no water damage. My heart aches for friends who are having to deal with water damage in their homes.
Everyone reflects on how awful 2020 was with the corona virus and quarantines, sickness, and deaths. We hope for better in 2021. With this terrible winter weather we are not seeing better days yet, but I am still hopeful. I am finding joy that I am vaccinated with the Covid-19 Mederna vaccine. I had both doses. My family is getting vaccinated too. I have learned with cancer that things always get better.
I continue to be hopeful every day of this new year, while finding things to appreciate today. For today I am choosing joy. I am grateful for my warm home, for power, for family who helps each other during hard times, for loved ones and friends who have checked on me, for a medical team that really cares about me, for my pharmacy that even during the storm gets my medications to me. For my bishop and ward leaders who wanted an update from every person in the ward. For my Father in Heaven who hears my prayers in he midst of suffering, and during better days.
My sister wrote a survivor song about surviving corona virus quarantines, home schooling four kids, zooming into work, etc. She is a survivor. Texas is full of survivors. I am a survivor. You are a survivor. Here is a link to my sister’s song. Enjoy it! You are stronger than you know.