Tragedy and I are old friends.
I have dealt with tragedy before.
This is what I know.
It is hard everytime.
The road may be different but pain always shows its face.
People can be wonderful.
People can be cruel.
People can be clueless.
Suffering is everywhere.
At the gym, I said hello to a new member.
She replied,
“You are the first person I have talked to since joining this gym.”
“Really? This is a pretty friendly place but people sometimes don’t chat because they are busy working out. ”
“Oh, it’s not that. It’s me. I have not been able to talk to anyone before now. My daughter died a month ago and I am still reeling from that.”
This lady proceeded to tell me that her daughter did not wake up one morning.
Her grandson called to tell her that “Mom won’t wake up!”.
My heart broke for her.
Later, I joined my good friend for a walk.
She has only one daughter.
Her daughter went to law school, passed the bar, married and bought a house.
Life was good and full of promise for her daughter and son-in-law.
Then her daughter became ill about four years ago.
She can not work and is bed-ridden
Fast forward to today.
Her young husband was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Treatment has started.
My heart broke for my friend again.
She has so much on her plate in caring for her daughter and now, her son-in-law. They both live with her.
Joy is everywhere.
I cherish my grandson who is in first grade.
I cherish my granddaughter who is learning to walk.
I adore the laughter and conversations with my neighbor’s granddaughters when they visit.
I exchange greetings and conversations with neighbors.
I go to dinner with friends and laugh over conversation.
I celebrate birthdays and anniversaries of my family and friends.
Life is good. Life is hard.
Lori Greer in Portland 
This spoke to my heart today! You are so right, your last line said it all. Life is good. “Life is good. Life is hard.” Wishing you blessings today!
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These situations always remind us to keep things in perspective in our lives and to be grateful, kind and available to those we cherish and to strangers as you have no idea where their path is taking them. Prayers continued for your family!
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It is all of those things. Well said. The only way we get through the suffering is by seeing the beauty and gift of life.
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Thank you Susie. I hope you are doing well.
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It is hard and sometimes recovery is hard too.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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Thank you David. Your words mean a lot to me. Happy Wednesday!
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Life is good. Life is hard.
Indeed …
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Very beautiful Lori, if sad as well. It can be a cruel world, seemingly endless pain…but thankfully it is full of love too ❤ 😀
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Lori, I am so very sorry. Despite being submerged in your own sadness, you still have compassion for others who also suffer.
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Thank you for writing this. It is good, and was probably hard.
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You are very perceptive…it was hard and somewhat cathartic. Thank you for reading and commenting. Have a great day.
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Let’s just say i, like many others, can relate. Thanks again, and i wish you well too. 🙂
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Wonderful that you could express this so coherently . Joy and beauty are found in the most unexpected places but tragedy is the heart-road we all must travel – caring, loving, ever hoping for ‘better’ but KNOWING that a new day will dawn. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Pema Chödrön (author, “When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times”): “[Things] come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.”
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Comforting words that I have written down to keep and refer to often. Thank you. ❤️
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I find it powerful. I’m glad it resonates for you as well.
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