As we begin the month of March, many events that have taken place since the start of the year have filled my calendar with upcoming plans. There was a baptism for my newest nephew that celebrated a sacrament and brought our immediate family and friends together for a joyous celebration. There are also planned trips with family in the months ahead, including another cruise this time to Belize, Honduras, and Cozumel. Thinking about all of this made me realize how much lies ahead of us. Although we all may encounter challenging times in life, what remains most important is the attitude we choose to embrace along the way. Several weeks ago, a dear friend of mine informed me that he had been diagnosed with stage one melanoma cancer. Although it was caught early, it still meant that he would have to lose a toe in order to prevent the disease from spreading throughout his body. It was jarring and shocking to receive that text, and immediately I went into prayer mode for my friend and his family. What I did not expect, however, was a late-evening message from him joking that his truck would now technically be considered a “toe truck.” Although it made me laugh, what it really did was cause me to reflect on the attitude he has in facing this challenge head-on. There are countless examples of famous individuals whose human struggles have been well documented. Yet in many of those instances, it is their attitude in the face of adversity that ultimately becomes part of their legacy for the rest of us to follow.
I also recall Saint Mother Teresa, who led a life of service to the poorest and most vulnerable people, predominantly in India. She also traveled throughout the world, visiting many other countries where she focused on those same populations in order to bring light and attention to people in need. I remember watching a film about her life story, and although she appeared to be filled with God's spirit and fully committed to the work she felt called to do, she often questioned where God was amid the devastating poverty, hunger, and illness she witnessed daily. She became a powerful example of how we can all connect with the vulnerable part of ourselves while we wait for answers to some of life’s toughest challenges. If you go to any hospital and look at the intensive care units, you will see many people facing the reality of not knowing if they will be here tomorrow because of the catastrophic illnesses they are battling. When I accompanied my own mother to many doctor appointments during her battle with stage one kidney cancer a few years ago, I saw many of these faces—people in pain, waiting to see a specialist who might be able to provide hope.
When we think about what lies ahead in our lives, although we may look forward to joyful milestones, we can also encounter unexpected circumstances that we had never planned for. Similar to the many examples of resilience that arise from tragic situations, we must remember to remain thankful for the blessings that still exist in our lives, even when something has shaken us. If you are able to walk up or down stairs, remember that many people with mobility issues must adjust their lives because they cannot easily do so. The same is true for people with impaired sight, hearing, or other senses that many of us often take for granted. As we move toward the next chapter of our lives and the events that lie on our horizon, always remember that we have so much to be grateful for. And when you are able, please help someone who may be in need of your time, your resources, or your talents. You will never regret having done so, and you will sleep well at night knowing that you were able to make a difference in someone’s moment of need.
