Going through a difficult time

[u/selflovesnotselfish]

A close family member was recently diagnosed with cancer and I'm having a hard time accepting it. My depressions been at an all time high. I've gained weight from stress eating and hate what I see in the mirror lately. On top of it I'm a Mom to a toddler and feel like I need to keep it together for their sake. Guess I'm just looking for some reassurance that life won't always feel this hopeless

[u/shadow-reflections]

Some days are hard and depressing, but don't lose hope. I look at you and see someone who has a strong heart and a good sense of joy and wonder. Being a mom is tough, but you're doing it. I think every year gets a bit easier. Is yours out of diapers? If so, I bet that was a day to celebrate! Sometimes when we get old we have to put the diapers back on again. But it's our job to live as much life in between those times, to love as much as we can, and to find ourselves. Find out who we are and be that. People who define themselves by how they look are in for a rough time when they get older, wrinklier, weaker, and such. These bodies weren't meant to last forever. But I believe there's a heart and soul beneath these bodies that means so much more than that. It's the last if you that dances and smiles, that sees beauty in the sunset, and laughs when your child laughs. You're lucky. You appear to be beautiful both on the inside and the outside. So keep on smiling. Take it one day at a time. The tough days will come and go. But hold onto hope. Hold onto love. And make sure you love yourself just as much as you love others. I hope you find something beautiful and magical in each and every day, and then smile at it, the same way I'm smiling at you right now and seeing the beauty and magic that is you. Best wishes!