So I will be honest, I am not an American Idol fan anymore, really.
I watched Justin and Kelly, I watched Dianna, I watched Ruben, and then I just got over seeing a lot of the same thing over and over again.
But tonight, I turned on an episode for the first time in years (that is so strange to say), and was awestruck and amazed at the moving story that Chris Medina told.
I was watching this show laughing at the insane individuals that "enter" that competition, and smiling with joy for the ones that have amazing voices and a chance at making it with the big dogs.
All of a sudden at the end of the show, this young man walked into the audition room and stole America's hearts and I would guarantee had women, as well as men, from all over the country, tearing up with sadness and heartfelt warmth.
Please hear his amazing voice while taking a look at this beautiful and moving story that this man is living with his precious Juliana.
If you've watched it once, or five times as I have, it's worth one more time. :)
I sit here after watching this once again with chills up and down my arms, and tears running down my face.
I am just amazed.
I can barely put into words the way this makes me feel.
Part of me just hurts for Chris and Juliana because having a "normal" life was taken away from them in an instant.
An eight year relationship that did a 360 turn in the blink of an eye.
So often in life we think that we are so invincible and impervious to anything going terribly wrong, and this is a pure example that things happen that we least expect, when we least expect it.
But can you just look at this and see how humble and kindly this man took this situation and this event in his and her life and made it into a lesson for the rest of the world.
His story has certainly impacted and changed my life in the blink of an eye.
We so frequently take life as we know it for granted: walking, laughing, conversing with a friend, dancing, doing things for ourselves, getting dressed, going to work.
Juliana had all of that taken away.
But did she and Chris turn away from life or love or their happiness?
No!
They embraced their challenges and pushed through one of the hardest trials and heartbreak that I could ever imagine experiencing.
I think what I'm trying to get at is this:
1. Next time you get dressed or walk around outside, think that that is a blessing! Take in those little moments in life that we don't think matter, take in every single one of them; each breath, each laugh, each memory, and cherish them to the utmost extent.
2. Find a love for someone like Chris had for Juliana. I know this is what I want in my life one day, and may have already had some experience with. There is one person that I have had in my life that I feel like would treat me the same way Chris did for Juliana if the matter were to come up, and that is Jay. Unconditional love was what he has taught me over the past (almost) three years, and I believe that this is such an amazing example of it. The feeling of knowing that someone cares for me in this way, I mean the feeling of really knowing that Jay would do this for me if we were about to exchange vows and something like this happened, is one of the most amazing feelings I've ever had/ thought of in the world. I felt that feeling when watching this clip. I think that is one of the reasons it touched me so deeply. I have experienced a real man in my life that "would never leave me when I needed him most," and though we may be taking a break, we have yet to leave each others lives, and I doubt we ever will. <3
I don't think I can picture anything harder than watching your true love's life be taken away from them when you can't do anything to stop it. Find that love for someone out there that you would be there for them no matter what;
no matter what.
"In sickness and in health, for better or for worse, 'till death do us part."
What powerful words when you really think of them in the context of this story and of their true meaning.
Literally giving your all to someone for the rest of your life, and really meaning it.
I will never look at these wedding vows the same way ever again.
3. Share this amazing story with everyone you know. Tell your friends, your loved ones, your co-workers. Tell them how this story impacted you.
If anyone wants to learn more about helping this beautiful story to continue getting even better, go to this website and get involved!
This is another link to a mini story with a video of a song that Chris wrote to Juliana during her recovery.
Again, prepare, it's a tear jerker.
4. Lastly,
Right now,
Pick up your phone,
Call someone (or a few people),
and tell them you love them.
Tell them you love them and mean it with all of your heart.
Things change in the blink of an eye.
Cherish life.
Take it in moment by moment.
Set your goals high, and achieve them.
Set your dreams so far out, and reach them.
Spend time with your loved ones, and embrace that time.
Go volunteer somewhere, just because.
Laugh, because you are able.
Remember this story, and remember how you are living your life today.
We are so blessed to have what we have in our lives and our world.
Don't take it for granted.
So that is that.
If I die today, I would want you to know these things.
xo, Jell.
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