Nov20
Joy and Sorrow
It seems that the fabric of our lives are intertwined with moments of great joy and sorrow. However, I can’t imagine experiencing one and then being plummeted almost immediately into the other – especially involving children. One of employees in the SPED department was in Las Vegas over the past weekend. Her daughter was married on Saturday. On Sunday, her son in his early twenties who had a long battle with Muscular Dystrophy passed away. How do you even begin to process your emotions on that kind of virtual roller coaster? I remember K. from his high school years when I worked with him in Assistive Technology – specifically computer access. He was incredibly bright and talented, and an excellent student.
There was another student I worked with yesterday using speech recognition software who has a rare genetic condition. L. is now in high school and has gone from walking to a wheelchair, with reduced motor function in his arms as well as his legs. It was painful how polite he was, and his willingness to adapt to something new. More striking was his comment that he “hoped my wrist gets better” after seeing the support brace I was wearing. His condition will only degenerate…
As for K., I can only mourn for the loss of a brilliant individual and hope that he rests in peace. In the “here and now,” I thank L. for the unknown lesson he taught me yesterday in gratefulness and perseverance.
Just when we think our life is unfair, God has a way of showing us otherwise.
I can’t even begin to imagine how that mother feels.
Isn’t it amazing what we can learn to accept and adapt to when we try?
Oh, I feel for that mother? How can you endure that? I guess life goes on…
the good thing is that you recognize lessons….thanks for the awesome work you do…
It is things like this that makes me appreciate so much what I have….despite the kids driving me batty some days, they are happy healthy kids.
That is too sad. That must be a terrible emotional roller coaster. I hope the woman has lots of support.