I Set The Hook… And Not Only The Fish Felt Alive, But So Did I

Lately, I’ve forgotten how it feels to be alive, to feel as though I’m truly living, not just surviving. As I spent the weekend out on the lake, sleeping in a shanty and living a life of such simplicity, I found happiness within the people that surrounded me and life within what I was doing. As someone yelled to us that the “flag was up” they then asked if I wanted to “set the hook.” Without hesitation, that’s exactly what I did and within those few seconds, I felt alive. I was doing something I once loved and found so much pleasure in. I was out on the ice, surrounded by simplicity, family, and a wonderful new group of friends. As I set the hook, I felt the life of this fish and within myself, I felt life too.

My days within the past few weeks have been quite difficult, a struggle to survive the daily battles that I face, but I have continuously reminded myself that “I won’t let the negativity turn me into my enemy, and have promised myself I won’t let it get the best of me.” Although I have faced the loss of several friends, the loss of more weight, and the loss of support from those who I think would support me the most, I have reminded myself that I am still surviving and still longing to not just survive, but to live. I’d like to leave you all with some of my favorite words that I found on a card and bought for myself, as dumb as I felt for doing so, it was one of the best purchases I have ever made! I hope these words can positively impact you, just as they have impacted me. It’s a reminder I need constantly, but it’s simply the truth and I have been striving to put the words into action. Here’s to letting go of the people and things that are no longer right for me or my happiness and here’s to making room in my heart and life for new things and for all the things I once loved. Here’s to Learning to Live – again!

“Some people think letting go is the same as giving up.

It’s not.

It’s releasing those things that are no longer right for you or your happiness.

It’s making room in your life and in your heart for something new.

It’s believing, like I do, that you are a wonderful person who deserves nothing but the best.“

 

I Adopted A US Soldier, Have You?

For the first time ever this afternoon I decided to browse the Adopt A US Soldier Official Facebook page since it has been almost two full years since I adopted my soldier and I realized I had never once visited their FB page. As I typed the words into the search engine, found and clicked on the official page, and began to scroll down to view what was posted on their wall, I literally lost my breath and tears began to stream down my face. The most recent post, just posted yesterday, was the link to my last blog post about the soldier I adopted through their amazing program who has literally helped to save my soul. Written above the link were the words, “Thank you to our supporter Ellyn Robare for this wonderfully written blog post! Thank you for your courage to put this story out there!” As the tears continued to stream down my face and the overwhelming feelings of joy and disbelief as to what my eyes were seeing began to sink in, all I could do was continue to cry tears of surprise, joy, happiness, pride, and thankfulness. Seeing that post, just posted yesterday, was the last thing I EVER expected and still leaves me in a state of complete surprise.

As to how my blog post made it to their page, I do not know and I may never know, but to whomever shared one of my favorite, most inspirational stories, I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart as well as the Adopt A US Soldier Official FB page for sharing the link and helping to spread such a heartfelt and meaningful story that got my blog almost 400  views in that one day alone!! Underneath the link that was posted were 71 “likes,” a comment that said “Wow” and 2 “Shares.” Still in a state of disbelief, I immediately sent Kenny, my soldier, a text message asking if he had ever visited the page and he responded “no.” As I told him to take a quick minute to look at what the last thing posted was, I quickly received a text back that showed his state of complete shock and how incredibly crazy it was to see our story shared – neither of us knowing how it got there, why I chose to look at their Facebook page the exact day after it was posted, and how incredibly meaningful it was for us both to see. We are both so incredibly grateful for this amazing program that brought us together and has showed that our journey’s in life, both alone and together, is proof that obstacles can be overcome and that compassionate, loving, “good people” still exist in the world and do not let our soldier’s service and sacrifice go unnoticed.

I will leave you with a few words that I would like to share with anyone who reads, views, or follows my blog. Please visit their website, view the details and commitments, and I ask you all, from the bottom of my heart, to take it into consideration to adopt a U.S. Soldier that is currently deployed because so many are in need of your support. As I previously mentioned, it has forever changed my life in more ways than words are capable of describing and is by far the best commitment I have ever made.  I also ask that we all take a few moments to think of those serving in the military and to please remember that thanks to all who have served, are currently serving or will be serving, it truly is “The home of the free, because of the brave.”

For more information on adopting a US Soldier, please visit their website:   www.adoptaussoldier.org. To anyone that has questions about my experience, stories to share, or questions to ask, please feel free to “Comment” on the post or e-mail me and I will gladly answer questions or share details. For those of you who have already adopted a soldier (or two or three…) thank you again so very much for showing your support and for having it within your heart to support those who deserve it the most. By adopting one soldier at a time, together we can find these soldiers the support they not only deserve, but so desperately need.

Meeting the Soldier That Helped Save My Soul

It’s been almost two years since I “adopted a US soldier” through the Adopt a United States Soldier Program and it was by far one of the best choices I have ever made. I remember patiently waiting to get the soldier’s information because I knew putting my focus on helping someone else and getting to […]

If You Don’t Know Much About Me or My Journey – Here’s a Brief Background About Me, My Journey, and the One You May Choose to Follow!

My name is Ellyn and I am a 22 year old young woman who has been living in chronic pain for the past 9 years. Although many would look at me as though I am a healthy, happy, young, kindhearted, outgoing young woman, my daily life is a battle, but it is most often a […]