Happy despite it all

I have a story for you all….

I have this friend Scarlet – we’ve been together through thick and thin for almost the entire 9 years I’ve lived in the Emerald City.  She’s my best friend, my girlfriend, my big sister and my most trusted confidante.  We swap clothes and we swap shoes.  We drink wine and do each others’ hair.  We trade books, we share stories, and we dance around together like maniacs at concerts.  We promote each other and push each other forward.  She’s the best.

Doesn't she *look* like she's the best??

Recently, Scarlet was diagnosed with what we’ll ominously call the *C word*.  It’s scary, but it’s something that modern medicine has found ways to attack and attempt to eradicate.  It’s something that a person could be really upset about, but through this entire discovery, Scarlet’s had this amazing positive personal power.

When you talk to her about it, she jokes and laughs and though she’s very informed and very realistic, it seems like she knows it’s going to be okay.  Instead of being depressed about this scary word, she’s living her life.  She told me she realizes it’s a shitty situation – saying:

“It’s taken me years of practice to become this practical, and I have cried a few times for sure.  However, feeling sorry for myself will only make me feel worse – not better.  Taking action and having a positive attitude can only help.”

Happiness is a state of mind and she chooses to be happy, despite it all.  This practicality is rooted in the fact that she’s satisfied and even in love with life.  “I”m not happy about any of this, believe me,” she says, “but I still have plenty to be happy about!”  The fact that Scarlet is consistently loving her life – through good times, bad times and plain old every-day action and interaction, is testament to the happiness, love and joie de vivre we create in our every-day lives.

I’m writing this post because knowing her, and her immense love for life is a kick in the ass that says “make life happen – make it the best it could be”.  Scarlet is one of the bravest people I know and she’s a constant reminder to me to do things that are challenging every day.  Her bravery pushes me to do things that seem scary in order to “level up” (Mario moment, what!) – so that I can live the best life possible.  These are the people who make us stronger, and I’m happy to have this girl on my team.

There’s a long road ahead that’s filled with who knows what, but in the end, if we’ve enjoyed the ride, it was worth it.