Look around you. It’s everywhere. You can find it in big moments and small. It’s the ability to keep going, to not fear what lies ahead. To believe in humanity, in personhood…and most profoundly, to believe in yourself.
Some people would add God to the mix, depending on how you were raised, your beliefs. Because God often enters into the picture, becomes part of the engine that we humans employ when THE GOING GETS ROUGH.
But this post is to honor humans: Marian, Bill, Scott, Tom and John.
I’ve listed their names. They know who they are, though this post is not to identify them, but to honor their courage and yes, human resilience.
ONE AT A TIME
Yesterday, for the first time since her car accident, I was with MARIAN. Talk about resilience, bravery, courage and faith…she has them all. Broken bones, trauma, being air-lifted from the accident site, pain, fright, later having to move to a home that can more easily accommodate her injuries. But she is smiling, moving about, feeding you, asking about you…she is grace and strength in recovery. And there is BRAD, her husband, also in the accident, but not as severely injured, at her side, loving and helpful, caring and strong. BRAVO TO YOU BOTH. If any of us might need such a pathway in the future, yours is the one to follow.
There is BILL, now dealing with tests, the parlance of medical people, changes in his life that call upon grace and understanding…and wow, he’s got both. One day life affords decision-making, and the next moment SOME of that decision making is altered. But he’s on the phone, he’s on the internet, he’s playing his guitar, playing golf, taking care of his businesses, loving his wife and living his life with acceptance.
SCOTT’S story is different, in that being a physician and married to a physician, he quietly knew for a long time that his cardiac system was not functioning normally. He sought advice from surgeons across the country, narrowing his case to two, and making a final decision with the help of his wife, who is also a doctor. The details are very detailed, but basically, a lifetime heart valve anomaly had to be surgically repaired, his heart removed from his body in the process. I am joyful to write that after a successful surgery, the these two bought a sailboat and recently we sailed with them on Lake Michigan. Pre-surgery, when talking about this sailboat dream, they elicited ideas for a name for their boat. My husband came up with a good one, which they chose: Paradox.
TOM’S story is like Marian’s…when you hear about it, you find you are holding your breath. Tom and his wife are driving to their country home. He’s at the wheel, she’s next to him…but when he becomes aware his vision is clouding, his brain is suddenly not functioning properly, he abruptly pulls over, instructs his wife to take the wheel, drive him to the nearest hospital, because he is having a stroke. When I think about this scenario it is all about adrenalin, the miracle of taking the wheel, knowing your husband’s life is at stake, but you will drive, yes, you will drive him and get him there….even if you collapse afterwards. Both TOM and his wife are doing great.
AND FINALLY, MY HUSBAND
JOHN has had CLL, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia for 23 years. Yes, I did research. Yes, I accompanied him to most of his procedures and doctor visits. But it is John whose strength and faith falls under the label, HUMAN RESILIENCE. He is so John, with strength enough for both of us.
FINAL THOUGHT… Yesterday, after my visit with Marian, I came home knowing what I would write about. And it didn’t take me long to remember the other amazing, strong, faith-filled people on this list. And yes, there are more. I know them and you know them. Some of you reading this post are also part of that group. So thanks for reading. You and those you love fulfill the definition of HUMANITY. We love, we care…we go on, boats against the current…
5 Responses
Strong and brave.
THANKS, KAREN. Just like you baking in a tornado. Beth
I’m always astounded by the strength of people, your husband John included. He sounds like a remarkable man and you a strong, wonderful wife. My husband Randy also has health challenges and yet he always keeps a positive, uplifting attitude. Such a blessing.
Hi Laurie, WE ARE BOTH BLESSED. My journey with John has called for strengths in both of us,
but love grows from adversity. SO GLAD you are my friend. I believe we could talk for hours about
life, children and the New Yorker. Or is your love THE NEW YORK TIMES?? Either one, Beth
I think of my late best friend and all the health challenges she faced, starting with childhood (a blood clotting disorder that doctors told her parents would kill her before she reached adulthood). At age 29 she was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Her oncologist gave up even before starting treatment and handed her off to a new oncologist because she wasn’t going to make it. But she did, and became an elementary school teacher. Then, at age 60, the cancer diagnosis that would take her life three years later. During chemo she would crochet items and donate them to children with cancer. She helped her husband through his own cancer battle a year after she was diagnosed. (He is cancer free today). And she also moderated an online cancer support group in her spare time. Through her I appreciate all of your stories showing the best of humanity.