It was right about a year ago that I learned that May was Lyme disease awareness month and I was quickly trying to figure something out that I could do to celebrate it! We had the Lyme disease diagnosis for almost 2 months at that point and I was not sure how to pull anything off in such a short amount of time. I ended up doing a blog series, one every week, about Lyme disease and how to best prevent it. If you missed those posts or want to read them again click here for the first blog of the series.
This year I wanted to do something and I wanted more time to plan it so around January I started thinking about what I could do. It was at the end of February that I brought the idea of an evening to Kevin and my parents to see what they would think. Everyone was supportive so I started to put action into planning this event. In a couple of weeks, I had the venue, speakers, singers, and a sound guy all lined up. It was such a blessing from God that people were thinking this was a good idea and wanted to help.
So why is an evening like this so important? Why on top of all the other things in my life right now am I trying to also plan such a huge night?
When faced with a challenge such as Lyme disease it can easily feel like we have no control or say over anything, and when we as humans feel like we have no control, one of two things usually happens. It is very easy to feel like the victim and go into that mentality or we can try to control other things in our lives to extreme extents. I have been trying to deliberately not fall into either ditch. In planning a night like this I am doing something about our situation, I am refusing to be a victim. I have decided I want to do something and not just sit at home and feel sorry for myself. At the same time, I am using my need to control something for the greater good and I am not trying to overcontrol things in my life that I should just be letting go.
Soon after Kevin got his diagnosis, a Christian man who we respect told us that he believes we will make a difference in the Lyme world. His words have been ringing through our minds the last couple of months, after not thinking about them after he said them, as we have been planning this event. I do hope that God sees fit to use us in such a way and I hope that this night will be the start of that.
This is the mission statement for the evening.
We hope the evening will touch people in two ways. First, the people that are currently fighting will gather hope and connections with others around them so they can feel renewed in their fight once again. Second, the people who are supporting loved ones with Lyme disease will have a better understanding of what it is like to have this disease, so they can better support the ones around them.
Lyme disease has often been referred to as an isolating or a lonely disease and I have found that to be true. I am praying that a night like this will help those fighting remember that they are not alone and there are people in the community that care. I also pray that people in the community will have a better grasp of what it is like to live with the disease. My prayer is that this night will help spread awareness and help minimize the isolation and loneliness people feel with this disease.
If you know someone who would like to attend a night like this, or maybe does not understand why a night like this is important, feel free to send them this blog link. Also please do not forget to RSVP if you are interested in attending the event so we know how many people to expect. We are also offering a live stream link (for those that RSVP) if you are not local or do not feel well enough to come out.
Blessings to you all.
