love wins.

So, back in April I made the impulse decision to buy a bunny for the kids at Pine Knoll as their pet that they could love, learn to take care of, and watch grow up. Little did I know that there was so much more in store than just those three things.

Over the past three months I have absolutely fallen in love with this sweet little rabbit and, honestly, I think everyone else has too - even Tammy. Even more than that, though, I have learned so much about life from him and by watching him with all the tiny humans in my life.

If you have known me for more than about 2 seconds you know that I am queen of overthinking things but even more so of looking way deeper into things, especially those that other people don't give a second thought to, and finding a deeper meaning behind it. 

And this whole owning a pet thing is no different. 

The first thing I have learned from this little rabbit is that it truly isn't possible to love well without risking being hurt. About a week or so ago something happened to him and it caused him to go into a condition that, although its common in rabbits, it can be fatal. I rushed him to the vet, aka, Dr. Chalyn Fayard, whom I trust and respect as a person and a vet more than I could ever explain. And it wasn't until the moment where she sat on the floor with me and through tears told me she couldn't promise he was going to make it that it hit me just how much he means to me and how unprepared I was to deal with the possibility of losing him. But, did that make me love him any less? Not for one second. It actually just made me love him that much more. So, I began to think even more about it.... why are we so quick to not love people in the same way just because we may get hurt? And that was the moment where I stepped on my own toes. 

And it didn't stop there I continued stepping on my own toes because WHY does it take bad things for us to take a moment to truly allow ourselves to realize how much someone or something means to us? Shouldn't it be the opposite? So often, at least for me, I am quick to take for granted the people in my life when things are going well and it isn't until somethings threatens that relationship or person that I find myself letting them know how much they mean to me. That's terrible and I am humbled to admit that. But its true. I am committing this day to change that though. 

To love like I've never been hurt and despite the risk that it may happen again because its worth it. 
To intentionally find things to be grateful for and to let people know just how much they mean to me … not just when bad things happen, but everyday. 

The next thing I learned throughout this entire ordeal of almost losing Pine (okay, okay, I know that sounds dramatic, but its true) is what community, genuine community, looks like. I know its silly to think that Pine being sick is what opened my eyes to see these things, but, like I said at the beginning, I tend to over-analyze the things other people don't think twice about. It was such a precious thing to this bunny momma's heart to see the way everyone around us cared about him. From the parents at Pine Knoll, to the people at the vet, to my friends miles away texting to check in, to my girls here who sat with us as I sobbed and held him close in the uncertain moments... and so many others. But the one that stuck out the most (no offense to anyone else) is the wife of Dr. Fayard, a former PK parents, Melly. I get teary eyed just thinking about it. She voluntarily and sacrificially gave of herself to drive me across the lake to Metairie when he needed to go to the exotic animal hospital after he made it through the night. She didn't have to but she chose to and that meant more to me in those moments than any amount of words could ever express. She made me laugh when I was a blubbering mess. She spoke truths to me when my emotions were taking over. She spoke wisdom into my life as a business owner and as a woman that I will forever hold tightly to. I may be [almost] annoyingly soft-hearted but my goal is to be a badass woman who fights for those she loves, boldly speaks her mind, and runs a successful business with integrity as these two women do. 

The last thing I've learned throughout this entire journey is that life's biggest lessons often come from the moments that are the hardest. I already knew that to be truth but I'm just stubborn enough that I find myself thinking that I can continue to grow inside of my comfort zone instead of confidently stepping out of it. But I don't want to be that woman and I certainly don't want the little people in my life to see me as one who lives afraid.... as one who only wants to do things to make me comfortable and carry now risks. I want them, and others, to see me as someone who is willing to stand boldly in the line of fire to protect and fight for those I love and for the things that I value most. I want them to see me as one who loves, without reservation, and lives vulnerably so that others can benefit from my experiences instead of just hiding it all. I want to teach these kids not just their abcs and 123s but also what it means to be confident in yourself and who you are, regardless of what other may think or say about it. I want them to see me live out a life of compassion and kindness even to those that hurt me but also as one who is wise and doesn't put up with crap because I'm afraid to stand up and speak. 

It is crazy to think that what started out as a pet for the kids at Pine has become one of the things that has taught me some of the biggest lessons of my life, but its true. Am I grateful something bad happened and he almost died? Not really.... but kind of, because I would never have opened myself up to learning these lessons and to these people in this way if not. 

Thank you Chalyn, Melly, Savannah, Dr. Pence, the girls at PK, Stephanie C. and so many others for walking this with me and loving Pine the way that you do. The kids here at PK and I appreciate it more than words could ever express. Thank you for being a part of our tribe. Thank you for being a part of the PK family, immediate and extended. 

I don't know what holds you back, but lets be people that love well, lead well, and listen well to those around us and those people, especially the tiny ones, placed in our care. I know its hard to live life without allowing the opinions of others to affect our self worth, decision making, and confidence, but lets do it - if not for our sake's, let's do it for the tiny eyes that watch us, the tiny ears that listen to everything we say, and for the lives of the tiny humans that have the potential to change this generation for the better in ways that we never could. 

I'll close with this quote by Teddy Roosevelt from his speech, "The Man in the Arena"; 

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." 

Here's to choosing to stop giving all the worth to the things coming from the cheap seats... those comments from those who don't even have the guts to step into the arena. And to living a life where we love, without reservation, and vulnerably open ourselves up for the sake of living in community. Find your tribe and love them hard. It will change your life.

Until next time, 

Love wins, 

Miss Megan