The Bright Side
Wednesday - January 20, 2010
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Del.icio.usAll families have their ups and downs. Our new year started out with a down. On Jan. 2, my wife’s father suffered a stroke. We were all looking forward to 2010 being a better year, when one of the worst things that could happen, happened.
I really couldn’t rationalize it at first, and everyone was saddened and shocked, as this was our relatively healthy patriarch. The family was devastated, especially his wife, who is dealing with some severe health issues of her own. He and my wife are her primary caregivers.
Things looked pretty bleak until an angel of sorts stepped in and arranged for the best neurological care available anywhere. I won’t mention his name because he’s a humble man, but he was the start of turning around my outlook for perhaps the rest of my life.
His desire to help was simply a compassion for all people. Suddenly things started to look up. Our families, my wife’s and mine, gave each other the strength to face this unwanted reality. In the hospital waiting area, I noticed other families that were going through the same thing.
We all developed a bond and kind of became an extended family for each other. I watched the faces and saw deep concern, tears and then something I didn’t expect - laughter. I’m pretty familiar with the last one, as you may know from reading this column every week.
I’m not making light of our situations as there is still a long way to go, but I’m optimistic no matter what happens. When you see the best in people, it gives you hope that things will get better. Even if they don’t, at least the journey along the way will be an easier ride. Of course, it helps when you sneak away from the critical care waiting area and look at all those precious newborns in the maternity ward.
Ron’s WEBSITE of the week http://www.izhawaii.com
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