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Friday, October 21, 2016

There is power in being able to relate

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I remember years ago when someone would tell me that their loved one was diagnosed with cancer, I would feel sadness for them but as horrible as it sounds the sadness was fleeting. It did not affect me. It is a different reaction now. When someone tells me that their loved one was/is diagnosed with cancer my eyes immediately swell up with tears and my heart begins to ache. I tell them if they need someone to talk to, prayers, anything, I'm there for them. Their sadness is now my sadness because I know what they're going to be going through. I'm aware of what their loved one is going to be going through.

I remember when my mom told me on one of her worst days that she was thankful to be going through this; because she now knew what others have gone through battling cancer. I knew what she meant but I did not want to understand it, I chose not to understand it because I was bitter watching my mom suffer. It was not fair. She did not deserve to suffer and be in the pain that she was. One year later and I’ve chosen to understand it because she knew something that I did not know. There is power in being able to relate.

Not just in sickness but in our everyday lives. In knowing that someone knows what you’re going through because they have gone through it as well. It’s an instant connection. It is the resounding, YES! That’s how I feel! It’s human nature to not want to go through things alone, to want someone to really get it, to understand, and not just say they understand. Because no matter how hard you try, unless you’ve gone through someone else’s experience you’ll always be a little detached.

There is comfort in knowing that you are not alone and that often makes the burden a lot less heavy to bear. Because sometimes you want more than just someone to listen but someone to really understand. There is power in being able to relate.

Something my mom knew then and something I know now.

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I hope that you all had great weeks and that you have wonderful weekends! ♥

10 comments:

  1. I love that you wrote this post. I saw my uncle and while not as close as ones mother battle cancer, my heart broke when you told me, just as it does for others when they tell me. I feel the same way when young women find themselves abandoned by "Baby daddies" and are left to make their own way. My heart aches for them, because I knew how it felt to be rejected and work (even still sometimes) through it all.

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  2. This is so beautiful! I could not agree with you more. And as weird as it sounds, I am in some ways thankful for the burdens that we endure because it does make us able to better bless others. You are so wise, sweet Faith!

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  3. So touched by this, Faith. What a great message and lesson! Have a wonderful weekend, too, sweet lady!

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  4. It brings to life 2 Corinthians 1:4.
    I totally understand what you're saying here.

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  5. Such a beautiful sentiment. I could not agree with you more. What an awesome lesson to learn and finding the good in an awful situation.

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  6. I hope you are having an amazing weekend. This made me reflect, thanks Faith.

    PS i only just noticed there is a box to be ticked for reply to cmments.

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  7. I know exactly what you mean about being able to relate. Until my MIL battled breast cancer I was able to sympathize with others, but now I'm able to empathize, which are such different things, especially when it comes to something that is so impactful on a person's life.

    I hope you had the best weekend.

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  8. You hit the nail on the head here. When people are going through stuff, whatever it might be, it's natural for us to want to relate. When it comes to cancer, you actually do relate because you know exactly what it's like. I can't even imagine what it's like to lose a mom because I never have but I know that I don't want to know.

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  9. I really hate it that there are so many people affected by this horrible illness and that it is probably only a matter of time before I am too. No matter how much I try to empathize I know there is only one way I'll ever know for sure...and it's something that nobody truly wants to know.

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