Have you ever thought about how blessings can emerge even in the toughest times of your life? I certainly have. Hello, I’m Christina Law, and my journey has been nothing short of remarkable! I was born in 1980 with spina bifida, a condition that has shaped my life in ways I could never have anticipated. Over the years, I have undergone thirty-four surgeries, each one a testament to my resilience and the strength of the human spirit. However, it was the thirty-third surgery that changed everything for me, leaving me paralyzed and facing a new reality. For more than ten years, I’ve lived in nursing homes in Oklahoma, spending most of my adult life in an environment that many would find challenging. Yet, despite these obstacles, I have discovered countless blessings and moments of joy that have illuminated my path. You might be curious about how I achieved this, and the answer is quite simple: I made a conscious choice to embrace life and be joyful, no matter the circumstances.
In 2016, after living four years in the nursing home, I met someone special. His name was Nathanael but he preferred to be called Nathan or Nate, and he became my best friend. Despite his unfortunate physical circumstances, he was only supposed to stay in the nursing home for a short period of time, so we spent as much time as we could together. We played games, watched movies, and when the food was nasty, we ordered mushroom and extra cheese pizza. The more time we spent together the closer we became, and we noticed that we were falling in love…so we decided to take the next step and enter into a relationship. As Nathan’s time to move out approached, we both were able to move back into the community. It was like a dream come true for me, and it was all thanks to him!
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In 2016, after spending four long years in a nursing home, I met someone truly remarkable who would change my life forever. His name was Nathanael, and from the moment we met, there was an undeniable connection between us, and he quickly became my closest friend. Despite the tough physical challenges he faced, Nathan had a spirit that shone brightly, and he was only meant to be in the nursing home temporarily. We both understood that our time together was precious, so we made the most of every moment. Our days were filled with laughter and joy as we engaged in various activities. We enjoyed playing games, whether it was a round of cards or a board game that brought out our playful sides, movie nights, and when the food served at the nursing home was less than appetizing, treating ourselves to our favorite indulgence: mushroom and extra cheese pizza. The simple moments, bonded us and it deepened with each passing day.
As we spent more time together, it became clear that our feelings for each other were evolving. We both realized we were falling in love. It was a beautiful revelation, one that filled our hearts with hope and excitement. We decided to take the plunge and officially start a relationship, embracing the love that had grown between us. However, as Nathan’s departure date from the nursing home drew near, he faced the reality of transitioning back into the community, and I had every intention of going with him! It felt like a dream come true, thanks to him. We were eager to build a life together outside the confines of the nursing home, and we embraced the challenges and joys that came with it. We explored our new surroundings, made new friends, and created a home filled with love and laughter
Nathan and I spent several years in the community, building a life filled with cherished memories and the occasional miracle from God. However, everything shifted dramatically when Nathan’s health began to decline rapidly. It started with occasional missteps, hospitalizations and tests, scary complications with his diabetes, and surgeries. Soon, he began losing his vision, which was heartbreaking. The vibrant life we had built together felt like it was slipping through our fingers, and we faced the heart-wrenching decision of returning to a nursing home, a place we had hoped to avoid. During this tumultuous period, Nathan remained my steadfast support, even as his own challenges mounted. His unwavering spirit and resilience shone through, and he turned out to be a fantastic nursing home roommate. We navigated the complexities of his condition together, by finding ways to give him more independence. Despite the difficulties, we shared laughter, stories, and moments of tenderness that deepened our bond even more. The only request I had upon our return to the nursing home was to get legally married. I wanted to solidify our commitment to one another, to celebrate our love in a way that felt right.
I was thrilled to become a bride. After a long search, I found the perfect dress. I posted on Facebook looking for a bakery to bake our cake. A kind lady replied, saying she wasn’t a baker but wanted to help us in some small way. She offered to be our wedding planner and we happily agreed. One day, as she began making preparations for our day, she talked to a photographer she knew, and told her our story. The photographer offered us a free package, and I gladly accepted. The preparations were finally handled and everything came together smoothly.
The long-awaited day had finally come! After months of planning and anticipation, the church was adorned beautifully, with an arch at the altar and purple rose petals leading the way. The flowers were vibrant, bursting with color—purple roses arranged in stunning bouquets. You could barely tell that they were not real! My dress fit perfectly, making me feel like a true princess stepping into a fairy tale. As I stood at the altar, surrounded by our closest friends and family, I could hardly contain my excitement. The cake was beautiful and delicious, each bite a sweet reminder of the love and joy that filled the day. But the best part, the moment I had dreamed of for so long, was marrying the man I had always prayed for. His smile, even though I could only imagine it, filled my heart with warmth and happiness as we exchanged vows, promising to love and cherish each other for all eternity.
A few weeks later, we received our wedding photos, which were breathtaking. Each image captured the essence of our love—the laughter, the tears of joy, and the tender moments shared between us. I marveled at how beautifully the day had been documented, each snapshot a treasure that would allow us to relive those precious moments for years to come. However, there was a bittersweet aspect to it all. By that time, my husband had completely lost his sight due to his illness, and he couldn’t see anything during our ceremony. Just think about it—being at your own wedding and not being able to see your partner, the love of your life standing right in front of you, radiating joy and beauty. It was our reality to live. Yet, amidst the challenges we faced, little did we know that our final miracle was just around the corner.
Not long after we tied the knot, Nathan had an appointment with the eye doctor that would change everything for him—and for us. When he was at his appointment, I held my breath, hoping for good news. To our amazement and happiness, he learned that he would be undergoing surgery to restore his vision! It felt like a miracle, a chance for him to see the world again for the first time in what felt like years.
A few days after the operation, Nathan could hardly contain his eagerness to take off the eye bandage. He was like a child on Christmas morning, bursting with anticipation. As he began to peel it away, I couldn’t help but fuss at him. He had just returned home and was advised to keep it on for a few more days to ensure proper healing. I urged him to put it back, but he sweetly replied, “I just want to see your pretty face again.” How could I possibly be upset or refuse that? His words melted my heart, and I knew this moment was too precious to deny him. With a mix of excitement and nervousness, he took off the bandage, revealing his eyes for the first time since the surgery. He blinked a few times, adjusting to the light, and then looked at me with a gaze that was both familiar and new. “Yep, you’re just as beautiful as ever,” he said, a grin spreading across his face. In that moment, I felt a rush of love and gratitude wash over me. When he finally removed the bandage for good, I couldn’t wait to share our wedding photos with him. We both cried tears of joy as we saw the moments so beautifully captured by our photographer.
Sadly, my beloved Nathan passed away on March 20, 2019 after only 10 months of marriage. His absence has created a void in my life that is felt every single day, and yet I strive to keep his spirit alive in my heart, cherishing the moments we had and the lessons he taught me. On a brighter note, I’ve discovered ways to adapt to life as a nursing home resident, and this has truly transformed my experience. One of the most significant milestones in my journey has been the publication of my memoir, Blessings From Within The Dark. Last year, I proudly shared my story with the world, and to my amazement, it has sold over 400 copies in less than 10 months. Writing this memoir was a cathartic experience, allowing me to reflect on my life, my struggles, and the resilience that has carried me through. Life is about the journey we embark on. While we can’t control the highs and lows or the unexpected turns that come our way, we do have the God-given power to choose joy. We must stare our challenges in the face and say, “No! You are not getting me down and if I happen to fall, I will get right back up!”
This story is an example of how blessings can come from the darkest moments of our life. Finding them is all about our choices and mindset. We cannot choose what happens to us, but we can choose how we respond to it. When I became paralyzed and went into a nursing home I could have sat around and become inconsolable, but I have throughout my difficult and interesting life decided that the one thing that my disability cannot and will not take away from me is joy. I could have been devastated that Nathan went blind, but I chose to guide him through it. I was sad, but we found joy by choosing to embrace life. Rather than being angry at God for our hardships, we made the choice to find blessings and joy in the situation. We knew that we were not walking this journey alone. We must make a commitment to live in love, positivity, grace, and mercy. Only then, will we truly discover blessings from within the dark.
Here is a link to here book: https://amzn.to/4hYrku1
