why overcoming a tragedy really matters

http://yourbiz.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/26/1292879.aspx?p=1

just a few of the amazing, inspirational stories. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to every one of them...:

After losing my youngest sibling to liver disease in 2006, I recently underwent liver transplant surgery in 2007. I will admit that I felt sorry for myself in the beginning, but now I look back at the experience and realize how truly fortunate I am to be alive. It took a lot of courage and love for someone else to offer the gift of life during their moment of darkness, and I hold onto that thought. Don't get me wrong, I still worry about my future, but I don't let it consume me. I am able to work and enjoy quality time with friends and family. I lived through my tragedy, but I will NEVER forget my sister and how she saved my life. You see, if she did not contact me and told me how sick she was, I would not be alive today.
Maria Soares,New York, NY


I had a massive stroke at the age of 21, and was told to give up my 6 month old son for adoption because I'd spend the rest of my life in a nursing home. It took several years, but I learned to read, talk, and walk again. My son is now 30 with two children who are the joy of my life. Resilience is not necessarily what you do for yourself, it is what you have to do for the other people in your life. Even if you haven't met them yet, your ability to go on matters. What would have happened to the daughter born three years later to my new husband and myself if I wasn't able to regain control of my life? We owe ourselves the best life we can make. We owe those we lost to continue to live as they would wish us too, and we owe new people in our life a strong, loving person. When you live by example, and the example includes fighting adversity, you share a powerful message of strength and hope.
Gail, Ottawa, IL

I lost all four od my children to SIDS. I realized that if I was not allowed to have them physically in my life that God had a higher plan for my children. Now I know when I am at my lowest moment that I have 4 stars watching down on just me. Thank you Abigail, Darnardo,Leland and Patricia--Mom and Dad adore you!!
Carol, Seattle, WA

I have, I am 45, and been through some very trying times in the last 5 yrs. Got divorced 5 yrs. ago. Found the love of my life over 2 yrs. ago. My grandmother died last Sept.and my granfather died this July. My boyfriend was killed in a motorcycle accident Aug. 1st. I just try to find things to stay busy with, spending time with my children, my parents and my friends. I feel everyone has their time to go, and mine hasn't come yet. I try to live life to the fullest now.
Kayla Bush, Newark, OH

I can remember at a young age back in the early sixties my aunt lost all six of her children in a house fire. To make matters worse she was outside of the home getting water from a community pump while they were napping. She realized that all of the fire trucks that she saw racing down her street were actually going to her home. Later as I got older she had another six kids, and my family would adopt one of them. I never forgot how she always seemed so strong and compassionate towards everyone. In some strange way I believe that her little angels actually gave her a certain type of peace that she carried until she passed away.
John, Los Angeles CA

I lost my parents and my two sisters at the hands of HIV/AIDS. I've since become a speaker and an advocate for orphans. Sometimes tragedy introduces you to the potential you never knew you had.
Ajay Hamasukwa, Rolla, Missouri

My father killed my mother when I was 24. My father took his own life two years ago. My 16 year old son died of an overdose of cough syrup (tried to get high by taking a massive dose). I found him dead when I went to wake him up to go to school. I have had much tragedy, but I have had many blessings as well. The older you get, the more you have to endure, but there are always wonderful people, friends and neighbors to help. I am grateful for the time I had with all the important people in my life, and I miss them terribly. However, my life is not over and I intend to live it to the fullest. We owe it to ourselves and to our "lost" loved ones.
Aimee G, Jefferson City, TN

Thirty five years ago I lost my first wife one week after we were married. The only thing that helped me get through that tragedy was my one week old daughter who was robbed of the love of her mother by a drunk driver. Fourteen years later I celebrated the graduation of my beautiful daughter from the 8th grade and no one could have been more proud that she had straight a's, and was voted most likely to succeed by her young classmates. Less than ten days late I lost my daughter, when one of my best friends driving drunk hit the car in which she was riding head on. I can remember going to the jail to visit that friend...why I have no idea...but I just had to. I could remember his request asking me to kill him...like he had killed my daughter. I told him that day I was not going to let him get off that easy, that if nothing else came from his actions, it would be that for the remainder of his life he would have to remember what he had done. It took a long time, but I have forgiven the two people who have wreaked such havoc on my life. but more important I have used my experience to find a rewarding path for my own life working with people with disabilities. Nothing can change the past, but I like to think that every time I help someone there are two of my biggest fans up in heaven smiling.
Donald Mitchell, Kankakee IL

why life is boog?

A couple of years ago, as I lay awake for the 21st day in a row with insomnia -- worrying about my dad's cancer and my mom's alzheimers -- I decided to get up to take a Tylenol PM. I had a worn old cotten t-shirt on with the 'life is good' logo emblazoned on the front. As I glanced in the mirror half asleep I said aloud "life is boog...?' and I realized my life was just that BOOG.
For years my life had been so good, and now everything was backwards with seemingly no end in sight. All of the sudden BOOG was my inspiration -- my reminder that someday, somehow, the darkness would turn to light, the sadness would somehow become joy -- that I WOULD be happy again.

life is boog reminds me that tragedy is temporary -- that life is good, and that only sometimes it is not. boog is not forever.

For all of you that are experiencing what seems like never-ending tragedy, please, please remember that.

someday it will turn around

Hi.
My husband suggested I write a blog years ago...but I could never see the point.
What do I have to say that could possibly be of significance, to justify taking up space
in the virtual world. My opinions are just that. My opinions. Why would you care?

I haven't changed my tune. It's just that in the last two years tragedy has struck,
and what I didn't realize is that I NEED YOU, you don't need me. I need you to guide
me through this time with wisdom and insight and experience. So that I can come
out the other side with compassion and passion. So that I can die knowing that
nothing stopped me from giving it all I've got.

So, I'm asking for your stories. Will you help?