Jan in Fredericksburg, VA, USATwelve years ago, my daughter, Shannon, returned to Heaven following an automobile accident in a spring thunderstorm. Life as I had known and loved it ended that afternoon.
Shannon kept a gratitude journal and that journal became my way out of the darkness. Sharing her sweet wisdom and innocent appreciation for life's little things, brought people into my life that I will treasure for always.
Not knowing me before Shannon's death, they had no expectations that I would "return to normal". They accepted and loved me, heartache and all.
Laura was a young reporter, sent to do an article on Shannon and gratitude. She was warm and compassionate and told our story with her heart. Over the years our friendship continues and I love her dearly.
In the spring of this year, we shared a conversation about Angels. I explained that I believed that we can't just expect our Angels to "interfere" in our lives, we have to ask for their guidance and help when we feel we need it.
Several weeks later, Laura called from a hospital bed. She asked that I make a request on her behalf. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, participating in a bike ride in memory of soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, she was involved in an accident.
With her back broken, unsure of the extent of her internal injuries and a frightening early prognosis that included the possibility of paralysis, my sweet friend apologized for having to call with such dire news.
I wasn't able to visit right away, and when I did finally see her, I was frightened but so very grateful. Despite the tubes and bandages and braces, she was breathing, she was bright and somehow I knew that everything was going to be all right.
Life doesn't always gift us with undeniable miracles, but as I watched a tear amble down Laura's cheek as she lifted a pan of cookies from the oven at rehab, a tear of exhaustion, of joy, of gratitude... I knew that she was such a miracle.
Healing takes time. It takes courage. It demands hope and faith and spirit. She has all of that and so much more. When we are broken, we aren't always sure that we will mend.
Laura is now teaching, and she is walking.
We have shared so much of life in the last twelve years. It never matters how much time passes or how much life demands of us, we know that we are always there for each other.
I know that Shannon brought Laura into my life and I will be forever grateful.
Shannon kept a gratitude journal and that journal became my way out of the darkness. Sharing her sweet wisdom and innocent appreciation for life's little things, brought people into my life that I will treasure for always.
Not knowing me before Shannon's death, they had no expectations that I would "return to normal". They accepted and loved me, heartache and all.
Laura was a young reporter, sent to do an article on Shannon and gratitude. She was warm and compassionate and told our story with her heart. Over the years our friendship continues and I love her dearly.
In the spring of this year, we shared a conversation about Angels. I explained that I believed that we can't just expect our Angels to "interfere" in our lives, we have to ask for their guidance and help when we feel we need it.
Several weeks later, Laura called from a hospital bed. She asked that I make a request on her behalf. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, participating in a bike ride in memory of soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, she was involved in an accident.
With her back broken, unsure of the extent of her internal injuries and a frightening early prognosis that included the possibility of paralysis, my sweet friend apologized for having to call with such dire news.
I wasn't able to visit right away, and when I did finally see her, I was frightened but so very grateful. Despite the tubes and bandages and braces, she was breathing, she was bright and somehow I knew that everything was going to be all right.
Life doesn't always gift us with undeniable miracles, but as I watched a tear amble down Laura's cheek as she lifted a pan of cookies from the oven at rehab, a tear of exhaustion, of joy, of gratitude... I knew that she was such a miracle.
Healing takes time. It takes courage. It demands hope and faith and spirit. She has all of that and so much more. When we are broken, we aren't always sure that we will mend.
Laura is now teaching, and she is walking.
We have shared so much of life in the last twelve years. It never matters how much time passes or how much life demands of us, we know that we are always there for each other.
I know that Shannon brought Laura into my life and I will be forever grateful.
Click here to go back to featured stories
