How true. But how best to view that fact is all a matter of perspective, and we can honestly say that in a scant few days our perspective of life has been dramatically altered.
First example: The most important word in the slogan above is "life." Only a day or so before Caitlin's accident, Mike and I had both been moved by President Obama's comment on the tragic airplane crash in Buffalo. "It reminds us," the President noted, "just how fragile life really is."
In the past few days Mike and I have told each other how struck each of us had been by that sobering comment.
And, in the past few days, we've seen it first hand.
At the bottom line, because of its very fragility, it is a gift all the more precious...not only because we still have Caitlin with us, but because we've been reminded we must approach life every day with a renewed appreciation and joy.
Second example: Things which we once viewed with absolute horror, we've learned are great gifts. Take the concept of a loved one on a ventilator. Once in the realm of nightmares, we now see it for the life-sustaining gift it really is. Massive and repeated surgical intrusion? Ditto! And on and on.
These are only two of countless examples of our changes in perspective. What we hope and pray is that we won't need another crash course to remind us!
This has been -- will no doubt continue to be -- a significant journey. Without the incredible and humbling outpouring of well wishes and kindnesses and (we believe most important of all) fervent prayers we know Caitlin and our family would not have made it through even these few days. With them, we are absolutely confident we can and will stay this course!
Margaret
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