LAUNCH DAY

 

This has been a long time coming, 1 year to be exact. My heart is jumping for joy because I understand how powerful this book can be. Not only is it a much-needed tool/resource for newly diagnosed HIE families but it also helps snip bit family's lives for the general public to see and understand. 

I remember how badly I was searching for something like this when Olivia was diagnosed. Every book I picked up and read just didn't seem to fit our case and now here it is. For me, it's comfort, it's support, it's encouragement, it's hope. I'm grateful to have my niece Payton's artwork piece apart of our story in the book and all the people involved who helped make this a reality. 

So here it is! You can snag a copy on Amazon for your Kindles or Paperback. Also available at Barnes & Noble in print and ebook. Thank you always for following our journey. Like I mentioned in our very first blog, Olivia will do amazing things!

Amazon Link Below:

HIElights of Hope: An Anthology of Stories From Families Who Have Been There: Bansal, Simran: 9780578292083: Amazon.com: Books

Barnes & Noble Link Below:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hielights-of-hope-simran-bansal/1141391277?ean=9798765560518

The Early Transition

 

I can’t help but laugh when reading the blog I posted in December 2021, right before a life whirlwind. It says, “Part of my healing is accepting life as it comes and I’m happy to move forward with this new chapter and see where life takes us.” Oh, if I only knew what was rolling in my way. It felt like the universe heard those words and immediately said challenge accepted and proceeded to send test after test. 

Let’s pick up right where we left off from the previous blog. We had just sold our home and found a rental right across the street. Like literally the neighborhood across the street. We had checked out a few townhomes, a couple houses nearby, and looked at apartments, but rentals were going quick and none of them seemed right. We were down to the wire and needed to move soon as closing on our home was coming. Then this home across the street popped up just in time. Not our dream place but suitable until we find the home we need for Olivia. 

Should be an easy move, right? Only if a snowstorm hadn’t hit us! We moved in 2 days and by “we” I mean my husband and whatever family he could find available last minute. Some of the family we had planned on asking had gotten Covid and the other half couldn’t make it due to inclement weather. The ones that did make it all slid down our poorly angled hill trying to find any bit of traction they could against the snow. They worked hard in the cold and were our true heroes of the day. Typically, my husband and I make a great power team for things like this, but this happened to be the day I had also FaceTime him to say, “I just found out I’m pregnant and can’t help move anymore!”

“I don’t want you to be strong, I need you to be authentic.”

 

As people evolve through life, trauma can also be a factor in changing and/or helping to shape people as well. My limited mind set never could’ve imagined I would become the woman I am today. As difficult as this life can be, I am so appreciative I have the chance to learn about awareness and inclusiveness. Before Olivia, those 2 words rarely crossed my mind. Most importantly, to me, true authenticity and genuineness have become powerful meanings in my life. Once again, my heart has shifted, and I’ve come to prefer someone genuinely authentic than someone strong. This wasn’t always the case, there were fixed times in life I needed a strong corner of people, such as receiving Olivia’s first diagnosis. Then there are set times I need to feel genuine care and see authenticity to confirm I am still human for this new chapter of healing in my life. I think at times we have a tendency to get caught up in “being strong for someone,” that we can fail to realize that maybe all that was needed is validation or confirmation of humanity. I am not saying one or the other is better, or that they can’t work simultaneously together, but for me personally there’s a season for what I need. Choosing to actively work on healing is not easy, often times it feels like I am fighting to continuously heal but it’s so worth it.

As I continue to heal, I am learning how much control I really don’t have in this life. The more I enlighten myself on taking things as they come, the more my anxiety and stress start to dissipate. Sometimes this comes easy and other times, like these last 4 months, it was forced from survival mode. My brain had officially been overwhelmed to the point of shutting down and needing to just let fate take its course. This realization was hard to accept but swimming downstream and no longer pushing back feels so freeing. But let me back up and share what really has happened to our family these last 4 months that pushed me towards that...........