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My Rock, My World

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This is the most intimately vulnerable article I have ever written.

I have started and stopped writing this so many times. My words don’t feel like enough to express how I feel. But you must start somewhere, so with tears streaming down my face, here we go. This article is about someone who normally isn’t in the spotlight. My husband.

Let me backtrack a bit. You are reading this article now and it is nearly the end of the summer. I write these monthly features about a month before you read them in print, and as I am typing now, we are getting ready for 4th of July weekend. It’s been a renewed summer of fun with family and friends (post lockdown summer 2020) for many people.

For me, not so much. The exact opposite. I have spent the last six weeks isolated to my home with very limited movement. No driving, no television, no phone, no Netflix marathons or social media most days.

I felt like I was on a boat in the ocean during a storm, with no sea legs. On the outside I looked totally fine. On the inside I felt anything but. I couldn’t find my balance or walk comfortably. 

I was diagnosed with vertigo due to chronic sinus issues, followed by sinus surgery and recovery. That one sentence seems short, but the days of being completely debilitated were long. There were many days with no joy, very little hope and depression.

This is where my husband comes into the story. We have been together for 25 years, married for 14. We are raising three young children together. The picture you see is him riding bikes with our kids in our very hilly neighborhood. I always knew he would be a wonderful father. We have been through a lot over the years. I have needed his help with recovery of three C-section births and other minor surgeries and health issues over the years within our family. 

The last six weeks were different. There were a lot of moments with vertigo and post-surgery where I really wondered if I was going to be okay. In all honestly, it scared me, often finding myself in the middle of the night sobbing in bed, hoping the next day would be better. 

When something like this shakes you to the core you know that your loved ones will take care of you. His love for me was different. He kept me from unraveling. My constant safe space. My rock, my world. This will sit with me for a long time. I hope to remember the hard days and appreciate you more as we continue to hustle through life together. I love you, Dan.

Written by: Erin Little

Meteorologist Erin Little starts your day off with a smile and the forecast each morning on KCTV5 News This Morning. With over a decade of experience forecasting the weather in Kansas City, she understands it’s not all about the weather, but how it will impact our busy lives. Erin is thrilled to be raising her three young children in her hometown of Lee’s Summit. You can find her Monday through Friday, 4:30 a. m. to 7:00 a.m. on KCTV5 News. Connect with Erin: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @erinkctv5.