so many people have such strong constitutions and the desire to live. when i read or hear about a person who has survived the unimaginable, to juxtapose it with the person who finds the smallest of challenges a nightmare, is what keeps it all in perspective for me. i almost never use the word nightmare in fear of facing a real nightmare at some point. because then what would i call that?
early last week i listened to ingrid betancourt on oprah discuss her book, even silence has an end, and later on in the week i went to a cocktail party in honor of an old friend's new book, i just lately started buying wings. two completely different life stories, but both faced with unimaginable pain. watching ingrid and seeing kim each looking like they have conquered the world was comforting. i like knowing that it's possible to overcome so much and still have the ability to go on.
wwcd: continue to add to my group of role models who inspire me
wwcd: continue to add to my group of role models who inspire me
The human spirit is so powerful. We just hope never to be tested in that way!
ReplyDeletefrom aunt judy:
ReplyDeleteit is possible to move on, to embrace the moment, to embrace the future, after what appeared to be the unthinkable. the moment of yes, I can take it one day at a time. the feeling u will never see light again at the end of the tunnel. the feeling u will never get over the pain, but life does go on and yes there is a beautiful light at the end of that dark tunnel. BUT we don't forget the pain lessens and we take baby steps then big steps, one day at a time.
as u can see, the subject has so many emotional responses. we have to decide to either play the hand we have been dealt or face the alternative. I have many friends that have lost children, the unthinkable and they never forget, but they know they must move forward. please pick a happier subject for the next post.
It is amazing to have such experiences articulated by people who seem so whole even with what they've been through. We take everything so personally. In some places nearly everyone is living a life of great trauma and unpreventable disasters. How they go on with civil life in any form is a wonder. I think of people living in Vietnam during the years of war there... or the people in Afghanistan now, ... yet there is love, creative moments and times of tenderness and joy too.
ReplyDeleteHumans have such incredible potential. It is a marvel.