When wandering within the difficult world of illness, it is easy to feel like you are alone and to lose your reason to smile. I have succumbed to these feelings before. Now I want to share my utmost gratitude and love for people who have pulled me out of that darkness.
As one does when confined to a bed with insomnia, a late night excursion on YouTube led me to the channel of a young couple, known as “The Frey Life.” Mary and Peter Frey (and their service dog Oliver) document their day to day life and battle with Mary’s Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disorder that affects several organs but mostly the lungs. They began to document their daily life to bring education and awareness to the incurable and fatal disease. Along the way they have also brought joy and inspiration to many viewers, including me.
I had never considered myself as an overly optimistic person, let alone joyful. There have been many times in my life when I desperately wished I could have been a happier person. It wasn’t until within the last year when I became chronically ill, did I truly strive to find more joy in my life as everything became more dull.
My life had completely turned around and I felt frustrated, lost in a new overwhelming world of doctor appointments and medical tests. My depression returning was unavoidable, I needed a little bit of joy more than ever.
Mary and Peter have given me more than just a little bit of joy, they have taught me to be more grateful and reminded me to laugh every day. Mary’s perseverance and positive attitude has never failed to bring a smile to my face or inspire me to do what I think I can’t do. The Frey Life is about more than just Cystic Fibrosis awareness, they have brought together a networking community of support for people with all kinds of disabilities and illnesses.
I personally want to say thank you to Mary and Peter for everything they do and for bringing me so much happiness and positivity when I needed it the most. I want to thank Mary for teaching me how to listen to both my body and my heart and Peter for teaching me kindness and enormous compassion. And I want to thank Oliver for being the finest specimen and always making me laugh.
If at all you ever feel like you’re alone in the fight against chronic illness or you just need to smile, the Frey Life will always be there.
“And, as always, we will see you tomorrow. Goodnight!”
Featured Image via freyliving
