I Don’t Even Know How to Say Thank You

I’m sitting here tonight looking at my Facebook page, and I truly don’t even know what to say.

I am just so incredibly grateful.

A couple of weeks ago, one of my reels reached 8.7 million views.

Even typing that feels ridiculous to me.

8.7 million people.

And now I’ve been doing follow-up videos about my pool because I’m determined to figure out how to get out of that pool by myself.

I don’t get to use it nearly as much as I would like because getting in and out isn’t always easy for me. But I’ve been experimenting with different ways of doing it, and I think I’m finally finding something that feels easier and that I can navigate on my own.

So naturally, I shared it.

And today that video reached almost 300,000 views.

It happens so fast.

One minute I’m posting a video of my regular life, and the next minute I’m looking at these numbers thinking, How is this even possible?

But tonight, I really don’t want to talk about numbers.

I want to talk about you.

Because the most incredible part of all of this has been the people.

You have been SO kind to me.

You cheer me on.

You celebrate the little victories with me.

You tell me to keep going.

You share your own stories with me.

You make me laugh.

And somehow, without me even realizing it was happening, this little page has started to feel like a community.

There are now more than 7,000 new friends following along, and I don’t take one of you for granted.

I know social media gets a bad reputation sometimes. We hear so much about the negativity, the judgment and the horrible comments people make when they’re sitting behind a screen.

But that hasn’t been my experience.

You have shown me something completely different.

You have shown me how kind people can be.

And maybe that’s why this means so much to me.

I’m sharing parts of my life that are very real.

My disability.

My braces.

My scooter.

My chronic illness.

My family.

My struggles.

The ridiculous things that happen along the way.

And yes, apparently my ongoing mission to conquer my own swimming pool. 😂

I’m not trying to make my life look perfect.

Because it isn’t.

I’m just showing you my life.

And somehow, you keep showing up for it.

That means more to me than I can explain.

Of course, I’m excited when I see 8.7 million views or watch another video suddenly climb toward 300,000. I’m human! I look at those numbers and think, Holy crap!

But the number isn’t a person.

Behind every follow is a person.

Behind every comment is a person.

Behind every “You can do it, Debbie!” is somebody who took a few seconds out of their own day to encourage a woman they may never even meet.

How beautiful is that?

I started sharing my story because I thought maybe someone out there would relate to it.

I never expected this.

And I certainly never expected to feel this much love coming back.

So tonight there isn’t some big lesson.

There isn’t some perfect inspirational ending.

There’s just a woman sitting at home looking at her phone, shaking her head at what has happened over the last couple of weeks and feeling incredibly lucky.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you for following my life.

Thank you for cheering me on.

Thank you for accepting my family.

Thank you for laughing with me.

Thank you for celebrating with me.

And thank you for reminding me that there is still so much kindness in this world.

I have absolutely no idea where this is going.

And for once, I don’t need to know.

I’m just enjoying the ride.

And I’m so happy you’re coming along with me.

I love you all.

XOXO,
Debbie
Between the Flares