A friend recently wrote of bitterness in her life as the result of an auto accident that has left her with a great deal of physical pain.
I responded and wrote the following to her:
Dawn -- 28 years ago my wife and I were driving to see a friend. It was Friday evening about 7 PM. We came to cross street and a pick-up truck failed to heed the stop sign and crashed directly into our small car. We were hit on the passenger side where my wife was sitting. We were both injured severely; she died on the way to the hospital. I was taken to a different hospital. Years later I still cannot sleep on my right side, where nearly all my ribs were crushed, broken collar bone, etc.
Turns out the driver was drunk and lost his leg. He had no insurance.
From this experience I had to learn to look beyond my pain -- physical, mental and emotional.
I had a choice: To be bitter or better.
I can say without being unrealistic or overly 'romantic' about it, that the accident became a portal to a new life. A new horizon opened to me and I chose to walk toward it. It was the beginning of a new awakening in my life. It has not been all easy; not by a long shot. But in some mystical way, I am a more grateful, loving and positive person.
May your recent experience be the beginning of the "new dawn," just as your name "Dawn" indicates.
With much love and a huge hug -- Joseph