In a world fraught with so much uncertainty and danger I find peace in the companionship, support and love of my family. Interestingly there are two types of family. There is the family you are born into and then the family that is formed through close ties and friendships. Both play necessary roles in our lives. For instance, I have a friend who is the single daughter in a home of eight boys. Her girlfriends are her sisters of the heart and play that very role. For me, I grew up with six sisters and five brothers – I’m inundated with family and I love each and every one of them.
Family is there to support us in times of trouble and heartache. When life throws unimaginable tragedy at you, it is family that gathers around and buoys you up until you can walk on your own again. This lesson has hit so close to home as of late. Dear friends who arrived at the hospital late every night to accompany me home, assuring me that my husband would be well cared for in my absence. Family who came and pampered me in the lobby of the 5th floor of the hospital, giving me a pedicure and manicure. Family who answered every phone call early in the morning and late, late at night – speaking to me to keep me awake as I drove to the hospital. Friends who came every day, bringing food, books, games . . . everything that would keep my husband and I occupied through the countless tests, procedures and surgeries. The dozens who visited regularly providing strength, love and support that we so desperately needed. The hundreds upon thousands across the nation who fasted and prayed for my husband on a regular basis. There is no value that can be placed on family and friends.
Never before has this thing so highly valued become so clear in our hearts and minds. I looked at the tragedy occurring around me in the hospital and wondered, how do people survive this without the peace, hope and love of the gospel? How do they survive it alone? How do they do it? I had all these wonderful things and still struggled with fear, despair and unrelenting worry. However, underneath it all I knew I was loved and never alone. This is the value of family, both biological and that formed by friendship –it is of an eternal value that should never be taken for granted.