As hard as it is, try to focus on the future. Then make the choices that will get you there
We get these calls because we’ve been there — and along the way, we made a number of conscious decisions about what we want our family to look like.
Some crises pass quickly. But others are long-term or permanent situations. And when I speak to families dealing with these crises, the conversations can be tough. Sometimes they want to hear how my family managed. Sometimes they’re upset at what I have to say. But I always tell them the same thing: Look into the future. How do you want this crisis to end? Not what outcome do you want — that’s not in our control — but what do you want your family to look like when this crisis is over? Always, always try to look ahead. As hard as it is, try to focus on the future. Then make the choices that will get you there.
But before I talk about the future, let me tell you about my past.
We were a young couple with four little kids when we learned that my husband had cancer. The diagnosis left us reeling. How could we possibly weather this? We knew we were in for the long haul; best-case scenario, the doctors told us, his treatment would be grueling and would last for a year and a half.
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