Monday, February 28, 2011

The breaking point...

I've been thinking. Will's story is inspiring, and motivates, and makes you want to be better in the face of adversity, at least at first… Three years ago when he woke up for the first time after his stroke, or when he said "go fish" with clarity, or when he flew home to Utah and ran around the Bountiful track for the first time, or when he did a triathlon, or when he gave his first talk in church, and so on. But what about now? What about three years later? The struggle is still so real. He still hasn't secured a job -- and many times in the place of opportunities, some are gently closing their doors to him. It is times like these where I think, how much longer are we going to be called to go through this? It is so hard for Will-- doesn't he deserve more?  He is such a great man.  

Sometimes I am just angry. Sometimes I am sad. But I guess my take home message is it's not over. We need to endure, and continue to cope in appropriate ways. I know Will is one of many, or maybe he is just a symbol of all of us that are all called to pass through hard times that are not pleasant and that were not what we expected or "deserved." And sometimes we wonder if the hard times will ever end. With this in mind, Will's story is more inspiring than ever. It's easy to not give up when everyone is watching (the first year, or second) but what about when you're on your own. When many of the decision makers have turned from you. It is more inspiring to have faith where there is not a clear road ahead. Will continues to appropriately move through his trial. He lets himself feel the sorrow that comes with his loss, but he also continues to pull up his boot straps and go to work. I am more glad than ever to be married to such a wonderful man. What a blessing he is in my life.

As for the everyday details in our life-- Will is giving his last toastmaster's speech this week and he and his father are moving on to an intensive study regime to help prep him for the boards. Will's lab work is increasing in hours as the lead researcher at the lab is giving him more complex experiments to preform on the heart cells he is working with (I'm sure Will will give you more details on this as he is going to blog soon). He is also preparing to take a test, mid-March, to get a limited license for becoming a radiology technician. He continues to be a favorite at the clinic where he volunteers-- as he gained some popularity this week when coworkers there discovered an article I wrote. Originally, I believed it would be published in a small magazine-- somehow things took an unexpected turn and landed in the state's two largest newspapers-- talk about overwhelming ;).  As for Benjamin Bunny and I, we are still learning how to live with one another. The only thing we know for sure is that we're hooked. I love the kid and he seems to be pretty attached himself. This motherhood thing is great!  Watch for more details on our life in the next post-- Will is always better and giving details than I am... Meanwhile, keep believing things will get better and they usually do ;)






3 comments:

Jaclyn said...

Hi Summer,
I knew Will from the singles' ward in Columbus. I just wanted to say hello and wish you all the best in Will's continuing recovery, nobody could be more deserving of good things!
Jaclyn Miles Wright
P.S. Your son is adorable!

Amateur Steph said...

That was a great article Summer! You're amazing and you're right, it's the years that we endure when no one is looking that really refine us.

Boni said...

Great post, Summer. Got me thinking! You two are both amazing people, with a cute little bunny to match! ;)