I felt bad that I didn't know what had happened and I was saddened that the tragedy had happened to her and her family. My mind has just been churning impressions.
To see someone come out of a very bad experience with hope and to see them emerge stronger than ever is inspiring. I felt that she truly understood that bad things happen to good people. She doesn't blame God. In fact, she continues to look to Him for strength and perseverance. Her family has emerged stronger. Even the children convey positivity and unity. How does one do that?
I'm not sure I know. But here are some nuggets I observed from this friend.
You pick up and start over.
You don't search for blame.
You don't hold grudges about who might have been at fault.
You just don't dwell on those things.
You garner strength from family.
You unify together and hold on tight to each other.
You look for every little thing to be grateful for.
You look forward.
You turn to God.
You seek for the fruits of the Spirit:
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Galatians 5:22
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Her son is now in college after five intense years of recovery, surgery etc. He is a writer and frequently publishes in the school paper. I was most impressed by a recent article he wrote about people who overcome great trials. Knowing what I did about his story, I expected to read about his personal experience and how he had overcome the many hurdles he had faced during the previous five years. I read the introduction about some athletes and presidents who had defeated trials. I read about hope and new opportunity and how one emerges better and stronger than before. He referred to an experience of meeting a soldier who had experienced a similar accident and how the soldier had written a book and dedicated it to him with words to the effect that he knew about comebacks. That was it.
There were no grueling descriptions about his pain and suffering, loss of opportunity, accolades about his strength and endurance during this time--though surely, he had earned the right to expound on those topics. Simply, he had written about his understanding of what others had gone through. That is inspiring to me. He is not bitter. He is not depressed. He is strong. He is looking forward. He has hope.
What was my friend's role? She and her husband set the tone for the family. They must have really united to make it through together. Surely there were moments of despair, anguish, grief. Likewise, there were probably times when they were grasping for hope. Sometimes, there must have been a few tense moments at home. There were probably many talks with family members and individual struggles. I can imagine that it was difficult for the younger siblings. There were financial implications that affected everyone: a move to a more affordable house in light of the immense medical bills, college funds that were depleted, vacations that were postponed.
Yet, what I heard from her and what I see in her children is a family that has supported one another through all these difficulties and weathered the storm. They have positive attitudes and are looking forward with faith and hope that things will be better and that most of all, they have each other.
God bless you, my friend.
