Live brave.

All of the support, kindness, comments, emails, phone calls and prayers in behalf of my family and my sweet dad have amazed me.  Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out and remembering my dad in your prayers.  I have felt your support and it means so very much to me!

Flower Patch Farmgirl asked a simple question,  "So tell me, what are you being brave about right now?" It was for a leather cuff bracelet giveaway.  I read the post after the giveaway had closed but felt like I needed to comment anyway.  I usually have to think about what my answer should be when I am asked a random question, but this one was so easy.  It's all I've been able to think about for the past week.  Watching as everyone in my family has put on their brave face and held each other up.  But most importantly watching my dad and mom doing their best to remain brave and strong as they face this unknown journey of IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis).

Flower Patch Farmgirl was overwhelmed by the responses:

"From the major to the mundane, I found myself reacting in a really personal way. The truth of the matter is - Brave is universal.

My initial hope was that by voicing the thing that has you teetering up near the edge, you might find yourself more steady than the moment before.

So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. - Matthew 10:11

But then I fell asleep, once again, with YOU swirling around in my noggin, and I knew there was more to the story. See, there's no good reason for any one of us to walk alone, especially when it's this cold outside.

As such, I do hereby declare this Thursday, February 10th, the official Flower Patch National Day of Bravery.

We were made to connect and so many of you took that first step by sharing from your heart about things deeply personal - maybe maddening, and possibly even downright terrifying. You've reached out, now reach back."

Not expecting anything on Thursday since I was the last one to leave a comment on that post, I turned on my computer and was left speechless as I read this email from a complete stranger:

heather, you are my person to lift up today, and i could not have been given someone more precious. your sudden need for excruciating bravery made the daughter in me cry--your father is beautiful, and i am so sad that he is facing this, and oh how blessed you all are to have each other. i'm lifting you and your dad and your whole gorgeous family up to our Heavenly Father today. i am praying for wholeness and redemption and so much joy it spills out through the cracks of this fragile life. God please, show up in ways that astound us yet again. you are deeply treasured, heather. may courage flood your veins. nicole

I want to let you all know how incredibly grateful I am to all of you (friends and strangers).  For all of your kindness and support.  I believe in the power of prayer!  Thank you for helping me and my family to be brave!

P.S.  I went back through the comments and looked to see if I could find Nicole.  I wanted to know more about her.  To be able to put a face to the name.  I found her blog, sixty piggies.  She is just as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside.  Thank you Nicole for taking the time to reach out to me.  And for taking the time to pray for me, my dad and my whole family!