Amor Vincit Omnia

There is this woman, we all know her, the one who seems to have it all...beautiful kids, a supportive husband, a group of amazing friends, a great life. She's the lucky one. She's got it made. She does play dates, she volunteers at school, takes her kids to the park everyday. From where you stand, it all seems perfect. And it is, as perfect as perfect can be, until one day, it isn't. Like a train wreck, sudden and with massive destruction, you watch this woman's world come crashing down around her. Everyone wonders what happened, the sympathy comes pouring in, the initial concern from friends is overwhelming. Her marriage has fallen to pieces, her family, broken. She can barely face each day as they come, struggling to perform basic tasks, and she sinks into darkness. Time passes and she slowly gains some strength back. She attempts to be social, counting on those amazing friends of hers. But she soon realizes that people are not so interested in being around her. They slowly retreat from her life, as if she carries a disease, one that they could catch and then, poof, their marriage falls apart too. It's a sad reality. As if the tragedy she is facing is not already enough, as if she hasn't lost enough. Her true friends become apparent, picking her up when she is down, occupying her mind, listening when she needs someone to talk to, holding her while she grieves for the death of her life as she knew it. With time she gains her footing again. She starts from the bottom, rebuilding herself. There are many bumps along the way, but she does it.

I know this woman all too well. She is me. And while my whole life did fall apart, I survived it. There were times I was sure I wouldn't. Had it not been for the love and support around me from family and a few really amazing friends, I don't think I would be where I am today. I still have a long way to go, I'm still struggling, but not nearly as badly as before. I have made many mistakes in the last few years, but I have learned from them all. I was certain that there would never be love again in my life. Luckily I found that to be untrue. And while my life is full of complications, I am happy. And I am free. I'm at a place in my life where I am realizing that I deserve so much more than I gave myself credit for and now knowing that, I refuse to settle for anything less. That in itself will carry it's own challenges, but I will face them. I hold on to the hope that my life has the absolute possibility of being even greater than it ever was. That there is an everlasting love and a ridiculous amount of happiness waiting for me. Because in the end, amor vincit omnia.....love conquers all.