MARCH 7
I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone
taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers.
To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, pa-
tience, love, openness, and the willingness to remain vulner-
able
—ANNE MORROW
LINDBERGHWe know this journey well—the struggle to learn from our
life experiences. We are understandably wary. The sugges-
tion that hidden in this grief is some redeeming fea-
ture—such as that we might “learn something”—is an of-
fense to us. It is as though we are supposed not to mind so
much that our hearts are broken.
But after a time, if we are fortunate and if we work at it,
we begin to see that we are, in fact, stronger, more mature.
This is hard work and often every impulse in our psyche
fights against it, because to learn from grief seems like
sanctioning what has happened.
But we are, almost in spite of ourselves, feeling better. We
have made the journey from a world that was into a world
that is, and as with all journeys, it has required commitment,
initiative, adaptability, the willingness to give and receive
help.
As I walk this walk of recovery, I will take my time. I will be alert
to the road signs. I will watch for other travelers of the way who
may need my help, as I need theirs.