Sorry it has been so long since I've posted anything. The past few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for me and my family. Right now, I'm in a hospital chair while my sister, Angie, is trying to sleep next to me. After a week of headaches and thinking she had a pulled neck muscle, she went to the clinic and was quickly rushed to the hospital. Long story short, she had something similar to an aneurysm causing her to have blood clots in her brain. After two days of the painful tests and doctors trying to decide the best path to take, she had brain surgery where they removed the clots through the back of her skull. We were all so scared for her life but luckily, strong girl that she is, pulled through . Religious preferences aside, you have to admit that her guardian angels were looking over her. She's blessed that it was discovered before it ruptured more severely, These are usually discovered when it is too late. She is in the clear, and now being monitored, waiting to be released home.
As puzzling as this may sound, so many marvelous things have happened due to this misfortune: family members that have been disconnected were brought closer, new friendships were formed, priorities were reevaluated, confessions were made, forgiveness was given, love was expressed, but most of all, Angie's strength, faith, and character was put to the test and she passed with flying colors. This is probably the first time I've ever felt a sense of family. We were all very vulnerable causing emotions to be expressed that have be suppressed for quite a while. Things were said: some good, some bad, but effective none the less.
This is why I'm here. I can't imagine being in GA and getting the phone call that my little sister was in the hospital and it might be fatal. My goal in coming back to MI was to reconnect with my family, which is what I've been trying to do for the past month. As disturbing as this might sound, I have failed to do what this trial has done. Angie and I even had the opportunity to discuss things that we never really talked about before. It's nice to know we are similar in beliefs and values. We even discussed the positive effects tragedies can have on someones life. She has been through hell and yet she still sees everything that's happened to her as a blessing in disguise. Today she said "You can't appreciate the sweet, unless you've tasted the bitter." She has been through things that I could never imagine going through. Instead of looking at the tragic losses in her life she appreciates the lives they've lived and the legacies they've left behind.
Many people do not feel this way. They focus so much on the negativity that they are blinded and consumed by it. The forget that there is still beauty, hope, and wonder in this world. I know it is hard to stay positive when things are dismal but remember attitudes effect more than just one person. Everyone gets into dark places from time to time, but all it takes is the hope of one person. Staying depleted by negativity is no way to live. In fact, it's not living at all. It's not appreciating the fortunes that were given which is not fair to anyone who has suffered more, and believe me, there always is someone who has.
Today, I was eating my lunch in the visitors room while my sister was napping, where a woman came in crying. She began to apologize for her behavior explaining what her son was going through. She asked about my sister but I could tell she really needed someone to talk to more than me. Sometimes, if nothing else, verbalizing your emotions is the only way to experience some relief. She cried about her son expressing how grim the outcome may be. I apologized for the pain but stayed positive for her, testifying how miracles really do happen. It's amazing what love can do. When I hugged this stranger goodbye I felt so much compassion for her and her family.
Compassion.... what a simple yet effective emotion that I'm scared many members of society have forgotten about. So please, smile at a stranger, hug a friend, express love any way that you can, because honestly, why not? You never know the effect you can have on someone or the lives you could change by something so effortless.
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