This is the strap that introduced me to the Zox world, and it carries with it a world of meaning for me, making it one of my absolute must-haves to wear to this day two years later. I received a random envelope addressed to me with the name Zox in the mailing corner. Confused, I opened it to find one of the most beautiful beautiful pieces of wearable artwork I'd ever seen. Immediately putting the strap on and realizing that it was reversible to the 'Stay Strong' name inside, I read the card. 'Your value is beyond measure.' The stream of tears came on instantly. It was the late Spring of 2020 and I was in the middle of a wave of changes. Not the least of those many challenges were tied to Covid. I had been working as a CNA after a great deal of hard work and sacrifices to become certified in the field three years before. It was a job that meant everything for me. Caring for others was always my passion and I was dang good at it, too. I became a CNA that many families I worked with wanted to see on their loved one's floor because they knew that the people I looked after were in good hands. Other CNAs came to me for assistance with difficult cases and emotional support. Being a CNA gave me the greatest sense of self-value and worth outside of being a mother and wife to my amazing family. Then Covid hit. And everything changed. As more and more information was coming out and the people most at risk were becoming clearer, I knew I couldn't stay in the field that gave me so much purpose. My husband and our youngest son have asthma. We have a daughter who is auto-immune deficient. They are going to be at risk every time I entered a nursing home and medical facility. It was one of the most soul-tearing decisions I ever hat to make- leave taking care of so many people who were going to be sick and dying from this disease or step aside to find other essential work that did not expose me to Covid on such a regular basis? My family has and always will come first, and so I had to permanently hang up my scrubs. While I didn't regret looking after my loved ones, I was lost as to what I was going to do after. I was going to have to look for night work or work from home in some completely different from what I had grown so accustomed it. Depression hit hard. I no longer had a purpose that I was proud of, at least that was how I felt at the time. Whatever I fell into as far as work wouldn't have the same sense of importance for me. And in the midst of my lowest time dealing with the loss, Be Strong arrived. Soon after, I came to learn that it had been mailed to me by our nanny, who also happens to be a RN on nights when she was not watching my kids during my previous shifts. She completely understood what I was going through by leaving the medical field and how low I was feeling over it. But she also knew that my worth was not simply held to my career. The strap was meant to remind me of that. I'm a mother to four great kids. I'm a wife to a someone who I couldn't dreamt up as a better partner and father to our children. And more than that, I was me. Everything that simply made me who I was that made me unique from everyone else in the Universe. I probably won't ever return to the medical field, but I'm finally accepting that. There is still a lot of good that can be done in this world. Since discovering Zox, one of those many ways is that I've gifted dozens upon dozens of 'wrist hugs' to people who have needed them. They've brought smiles through tears and encouragement when it was needed most. I'll forever cherish my Be Strong. It reminded me to be proud of who I am, for whoever titles I have or don't have and for my strengths as well as my challenges. More than ever, I know that whatever storm comes through to change my plans again, I know I'll come out the other side stronger than before... and if I'm lucky, with a couple cool new wrist hugs on me when the clouds clear. Be Strong
