Rollercoaster of Life

People often say that life is a rollercoaster full of ups and downs. This summer, Mr. Heid and I took a ride.

We took our engagement photos, visited San Diego to see my brother graduate, and learned that our friends were pregnant — up! We were saddened to hear that doctors mandated a premature delivery of another other friends’ baby (Baby E) and that Mr. Heid’s grandmother had a stroke — down. We met up with friends who were touring neighborhoods because they’re moving closer to us, our friend got engaged, and Mr. Heid’s grandmother was back home — up! We celebrated the early, yet successful birth of Baby E and Mr. Heid was named her godfather — up! We honored the life of Mr. Heid’s grandmother, as she moved on from this world — down. We celebrated my own grandmother’s birthday — up!

In a matter of days, we went from needing cheerleaders to being cheerleaders, from lending our ears to needing shoulders to cry on, and from celebrating to mourning and then right back to celebrating.

Between the ups and downs, there were odd moments of clarity. Like the moment when I realized that Baby E and Mr. Heid’s grandmother had something in common — spunk. They both fought for their time here on Earth — one, a winner of many battles throughout a long and well-lived life; the other, a winner of the battle to begin her life. Both equally inspiring reminders to appreciate what isn’t promised and to take nothing for granted.

It’s funny how you can grow to love someone in such a short amount of time. When we visited Baby E, we watched her via video chat from just outside of the NICU. You could see the fight in her then — ready to get stronger, grow, and break free.

The day I met Mr. Heid’s grandmother, we had lunch with his whole family. That afternoon, he walked her back to her house. A few moments later, I followed to catch up and overheard her say, “I like her, you should keep her around.” Mr. Heid had turned to look over his shoulder as she spoke. He caught my eye, smiled, and said, “You can tell her yourself.”

When she was on the mend from her stroke, we were visiting in the hospital. She was sassing Mr. Heid, cracking jokes, and talking about how she was planning to ace her therapy and get back home (which she did). That day, she looked at me, smiling and said, “Keira Heider.” She paused and said, “I’m so sorry that I can’t make it to the wedding.”

Mr. Heid and I know she’ll be there. And just like she did, I smile at the thought of becoming Mrs. Heid. There’s no one I’d rather be on this rollercoaster of life with.

Some seasons of life are smoother, and others are even bumpier than this. No matter what you’re going through, just know that ups do follow the downs.

xoxo,

K