Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.
Helen Keller
(1880-1968)
Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.
James Buckham
(1844-1930)
The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering.
Ben Okri
(1959)
This has been a rough week. My brother is ill, extremely ill. He is slightly better today than yesterday and was fractionally better yesterday than the day before but he is still not well. There's going to be a very, very long journey between here and good health. And that is not yet a certainty.
It has been a horrible week for my family - many of them have been right there, dealing with the crisis and communicating with me about it. In their usual way they have been amazing, pulled together and rallied in love to support R's situation. Their strength is incredible. But what a horrible thing to have to deal with. To see someone you care about go through something as awful as this is awful too.
It has been a horrible week for me - I've been terrified and have felt the distance from my family acutely. I've been so helpless to do anything really useful and the anxiety and waiting for news has been excruciating. All I want is to be there, with them, but although that would certainly help me it's not necessarily the best thing for my brother and that's all that's important now. He is being exceptionally well taken care of and there's nothing more that we can be doing right now on that front. We are still trying to work out the logistics of leave and travel and dividing up the post hospital caring duties but for the moment I'm in a holding pattern. And that's hard in itself.
But all of what we have been through is absolutely nothing compared to what my brother has been through. Is going through. R is the older of my two lovely brothers and he is one of those rare men that has a strong but incredibly gentle spirit. He's no saint, he's just a regular guy. A regular guy who it seems to me has suffered a more than regular quota of ill health and setbacks in his life and has born each with courage and dignity. He is one of my true-life heroes and I learn so much from him. He knows how to endure and to overcome. He has a lion heart. He's a fighter. And it's his fighting spirit upon which we are counting now.
Fight and overcome. Please, fight and overcome.
But all of what we have been through is absolutely nothing compared to what my brother has been through. Is going through. R is the older of my two lovely brothers and he is one of those rare men that has a strong but incredibly gentle spirit. He's no saint, he's just a regular guy. A regular guy who it seems to me has suffered a more than regular quota of ill health and setbacks in his life and has born each with courage and dignity. He is one of my true-life heroes and I learn so much from him. He knows how to endure and to overcome. He has a lion heart. He's a fighter. And it's his fighting spirit upon which we are counting now.
Fight and overcome. Please, fight and overcome.
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24 comments:
I'm thinking of you and sending good health wishes your brother R's way. I know he didn't choose this, but did you need more stress?
oh my--so sorry! Sending loving thoughts and healing to your bro and your family. You're lucky to have one another.
Kenda: Go home! Go now!
oh friend, i will make a sweet wish to the moon tonight for his health.
sending much love to you!
It is so difficult to watch a loved one suffer. My heart hurts to hear about your brother. I'm glad your family pulls together. That makes the challenges a little easier to meet. Hang in there and know there are many wishing you the best.
I like all the quotes but the Ben Okri one is outstanding.
i agree with Nenslens- - Whatever his illness- I am sure that to see your shining face would make everything seem better.
Kenda, I'm so sorry. I do hope his health takes a turn for the better soon. Hang in there. I know you are strong. I kind of understand how you feel. My father in law is in the last stage of his life as he is battling cancer. We sit and wait. We talk and remember. There is nothing we can do and we feel helpless. Do know that I am thinking of you in this hard and trying time for your family. all my love, Kristi
my brother is the only relative I have in life..
I am thinking of you and understand totally how you feel..
I wish he continues to get better and finally he gets his health back..
I send my best wishes to you and your brother..
Oh dear Kenda, what can I say? I just wish it was easy for you to hop on over and be with your family. Thinking of you and sending positive thoughts.
thinking of you and sending light and love your way. xo
The words 'lion heart' leapt out to me Kenda - I hope R is feeling every bit the warrior as he goes through this difficult time. Will be sending the very best of positive vibes your way, Claire.
Sorry to hear about your brother. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers, my friend.
Oh Kenda, how difficult this must be for you. Made all the more difficult to bear with being so far away. I do hope that his health improves. It sounds as though your family are all pulling together, which must help to keep you strong.
I will keep you and your brother in my thoughts.
x
I'm wishing your brother the very best outcome in his illness.
Yes. Please fight and overcome. Thinking of you. With all my heart.
I was very sorry to read this post as I'd truly hoped for good news after your previous post. I'm thinking of you all and wishing you all well - especially your brother. With his lion heart he will surely triumph.
I am thinking of R, and you, and your whole family. Courage, dear. x M
the last words are so powerful friend..i hope that you will get to see him really soon..it would make you BOTH feel better..in the meantime know that i look to the sky and hope for good news...
Oh Kenda! I am so sorry to hear this. I am thinking about you and your family! I am only thinking positive thoughts.
sending love-Suzy
I am so sorry to read about your brother Kenda. I really hope he is going to be ok. xx
I've been amiss at keeping up with you, dear. My apologies for that but also my prayers for your brother, you and your family. We hope you have better news to share with us soon. Huge Hug.
Thank you. SO much. You guys are amazing!
I HATE that I am reading this so late. I'm sorry Kenda, where have I been? I am so sorry to hear about your brother! Saying a prayer for him and your family now.
Oh Kenda, I can't believe I am just finding all of this out. I am so sorry
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