2 Years of BEING BRAVE <3

Two years ago our world changed forever. The years feel like a blurr—at times fast, where other moments have moved incredibly slow. We live in a never ending state of survival, where we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. It’s like a nightmare that wakes you from your sleep, leaving you gasping for air. However, there is no waking up for us, this is our reality.

It’s hard to find the light when you are immersed in the darkness. When you live in the state of unknown it changes you. It takes a toll on your body, your mental health and your overall wellbeing. The reality is… it consumes you.

With the time that has passed, it’s hard to remember what life was like before this. The sound of the kids greeting Julio as he came home from work. The way that Julio would rile the kids up right before bedtime, often resulting in a wrestling match or pillow fight.
One of the things we miss the most is family dinners. We would sit together every night. It was loud. It was chaotic. The kids would often argue, yet, it was our normal. We yearn for the memories, the laughter, the ease. We yearn for the Father that Julio once was.

Yes, we are still together. Yes, we are still a family. However, the family that was, is now gone. Stolen, taken without warning. A cut so deep it has ripped us apart — never to be the same. These past two years, we have mourned for who we once were. We have mourned for who we have become and we continue to mourn for what is still to come.

We try to make the best of it. To focus on the positive. To hold onto hope. We smile through the pain, but the truth is, this is f**king hard. We would never wish this upon anyone. Until you’re here, you will never understand what has been lost, what has been forgotten, and what will never be the same.

Today marks two years of pain. Two years of suffering. Two years of advocacy. Two years of love. We try our hardest to enjoy the time we have been given — we didn’t know we would get here. We remember to be grateful— to cherish the days, to cherish the memories and to continue to be Brave. xo