Morning Light

Morning Light

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being the more joy you can contain. ~Kahlil Gibran

This past February's newsletter focused on awakening bravery, encouragement, and endurance as we face adversity. It reminded us of the power of the human spirit to fight and an individual's opportunity to always choose their own attitude. One of the stories I shared was about my father-in-law's recent diagnosis of cancer and his decision to battle it. Yesterday, after a five month struggle, being held by his wife, touched and encouraged by his children, and surrounded by his siblings and family, my father-in-law Joe lost his fight and was called home.

 

Joe loved his family. He adored his bride of 37 years, he loved his two girls and his two boys, he remained extremely close with his large family and he cherished his many friendships. His eyes always sparkled when family would come to his house - and never did they sparkle brighter than when he saw one of his five grandchildren. He so loved them. He was a simple man who wisely understood that joy is found in relationships - not things.

 

We've received incredible support throughout, but in recalling some specific individuals, it occurred to me that many who gave shared something in common: each had endured their own burning experiences. Just a few examples would include: the aunt who offered to sit with Joe during the night had recently lost her own sister and still felt that pain; a voicemail I received from someone in tears sharing his prayers for our family came from a good friend who recently lost his own mother to cancer; the prayer club that formed among Beth's girl friends was initiated by a friend who mother's also had cancer; the woman who thoughtfully demanded to take the kids when we needed a break endured a very difficult divorce; the friend of Joe and Mary's (my father and mother-in-law) who was their constant companion through chemo therapy, radiation treatments and as he slipped in and out of coma was a man who worked as a nurse with sick kids.

 

Through their own experiences of suffering each became empowered to serve selflessly, act courageously, impact deeply and love more fully.

Our family has discovered so much through Joe's entire fight. We've been reminded of the importance of faith, the joy of friends, the gift of family, the delight and innocence of children, the healing in humor, the truth that shared suffering is joy, the power of the human spirit to endure, the value of celebrating each and every moment with loved ones, the importance of reaching out and doing something for those who are in pain, and the absolute necessity of not hesitating or waiting to tell others that you love them.

 

Today we ache. We are exhausted and heartbroken and upset. This pain will remain with us. There are, however, two truths that grow from the seeds of this great loss. The first is the vivid reminder that the path of compassion is paved in painful experiences. It is only from loss that springs forth the ability to suffer with others, serve them better, and love them more purely.

 

The second is that we have faith this isn't the end of Joe's story. The light that we mourn as dusk setting over our horizon is the same light being celebrated as dawn appearing on a different horizon. As we weep the fading light saying, "we'll miss you, Joe" there are others celebrating the morning light saying, "welcome home, Joe."

 

John O'Leary | RisingAbove

Ignite Life | Fulfill Potential | Impact Others