Day 26 Joy & Sorrow

Few people truly understand how both joy and sorrow can coexist in one human, in one moment in time. This friend, April (another special needs mom), gets it. On our 5k this afternoon we jumped straight into the deep end and talked about our sons, the deliciously bad food in the south, and faith. The poignant moment in our conversation was discovering our the mutual understanding of suffering. April said it beautifully in the words “joy and sorrow”. In and of itself suffering is pointless and serves no real purpose. Yet, if the suffering were geared toward sacrifice, then there is something great to gain. I don’t claim to make sense of ALL suffering that seems senseless, but I do claim to make sense of my suffering. The last 5 years have been the toughest, and yet they have also been the happiest. I have never felt my life has had more purpose than it does now. Whatever I have given up to ensure my son has the best life possible, is well worth the cost. Understanding this purpose carries me through the pain of seeing my sweet child suffer. The knowledge doesn’t take away my sorrow but it gives me deep joy. Not a warm fuzzy feeling, but an intense satisfaction of knowing I am doing all I can do for at least one person on this planet. As we say goodbye to 2020, can we look back on the joys & the sorrows and accept the lessons they each can give? Looking to 2021, how can you accept suffering and reap Joy from it? Happy New Year, my friends! May God bless us in 2021 with REAL DEEP joy!