I want to live and be alive, “my son Coltan told me in December 2021.

These words he spoke were heartbreaking; he had been struggling with his Cystic Fibrosis and was undergoing extensive medical treatment, which hopefully was going to get rid of the infections that he had in his lungs.

If you are unaware, CF causes thick mucus that clogs specific organs, such as the lungs, pancreas, and intestines. This may cause malnutrition, poor growth, frequent respiratory infections, breathing problems and chronic lung disease.

I don’t know about you, but when you see your child struggling to breathe, coughing to the point of throwing up, and so thin words cannot explain how much it hurts. This is very vulnerable, raw, and real for me to write, and I am holding back the tears. 

Yet he was strong, wise, resilient, and did his best to get better. His words to me were Mom, you need to be ok so that I can focus on getting better.

All right, son, what do you need from me? Mom I need you to be ok so that I can be ok!

OKAY!

The best thing I could do was be there for him. Support him when he needs to talk. Trust and Pray that he would get accepted for the drug Trikafta.

And most importantly, Live and be Alive.

How?  I wake up each day and be grateful for another day in my healthy body. Be mindful of the people in my life and make sure I tell them how much they mean to me.

I embrace the opportunity to shine my light with positivity and hope and the valuable tools I have acquired through my training and certifications. My commitment to continuous learning enables me to assist others through coaching, speaking, and facilitating.

I am dedicated to nurturing meaningful connections within my relationships—with my husband, family, and friends—and myself. This intentional (my word for 2022) investment empowers me to create and live a fulfilling life and make a positive difference in the lives of those around me.

Don’t get me wrong, I struggle; I have bad days and down times, but now, seeing that it is normal, it's okay to not be okay for a little while or until you are not, but don’t do it alone and talk to someone. 

I am reminded of this and shift into what Coltan lives by. While I am here, I want to live and be alive.He has been such an inspiration in my life; who knew I’d be learning so many valuable tools from my kids?

I am so grateful and happy to share that he was accepted for the drug Trikafta; it has given him a second chance. Within 24 hours, he could feel a difference and now is living and being alive.He started a career he had always dreamed of and is doing well. 

Thank you, son, for being such an inspiration in my life. You have always been our Yoda, shifting perspectives and seeing life in the light of what I get to live and what I can do with the circumstances in front of me.

Coltan, you are such a gift to the world, and I dedicate “Being Alive” to you, our Yoda Son.

#LetYourLightShine ☀️ #BeOK #CysticFibrosis #BEALIVE #Live #Grateful #Son #Moments

#Reigniteyourlife