Dear Mrs. Dillon,
I am not sure you remember me, but I have had the pleasure of meeting you a few times at MDA functions, as well as at the school itself. It was always my pleasure to see you and your energy and sense of purpose. In a recent conversation with Jenny, she mentioned that your family is going through some difficult medical issues. I hope you don't feel I am imposing on your privacy. But from one mother to another I just wanted to give you a hug through this e-mail.
None of us ever know what life has in store for us. The winding road on the journey of life... We are all here to grow and to progress and for our spirit to soar. Only G-d knows how we need to do that. Our Sages tell us of a potter who, when advertising the strength, endurance and durability of his wares, would tap on them and bounce them around. For obvious reasons, he would only choose his choicest and strongest and finest. And when they withstood his banging and prodding, he could safely say that he had created a product of very high quality. Of course, this is just an example. Of G-d and mankind, His most astounding wares. And in order to show the durability and temerity and the outstanding beauty of the souls He created, He may bang and prod. But the human soul can prevail. And when it does, it is declared G-d's finest products...
I'm not sure we ever spoke about my youngest child. He was born with chronic renal failure and from his first day on earth, his life has been nothing but a struggle and a challenge. We were at death's door more times than i care to remember. He had a kidney transplant at the age of one and a half and although we live in the frightening world of medical treatments and scrutiny, that child is our greatest gift. Today he is G-d bless him, six and a half years old and he is my daily inspiration.
Somewhere in our lives, it becomes clear that we are here on a mission. Our journey in this world is neither random nor coincidental. G-d has some clear objectives for us. Only we don't know what they are. And we certainly do not know who we can become. My heart goes out to you and your family for the fear and the uncertainty you face today. But dear friend, this is the first day of the rest of your life. This is when you learn about how wonderful life really is. And how precious. Because life does not end with a frightening diagnosis. But rather, that is when it truly begins. Illness can be as much a gift as a challenge. This is when you learn that the only real cure is care and compassion. And where one may not always be possible, the other, by the Grace of G-d, always is. This is the time when you discover that even the darkest skies has brilliant stars. And when you learn to live the moment and relish in the joy of routine and simple things. To not just live under the sky, but to look up at the stars. And to see and feel the extraordinary-especially in the ordinary. This is the time when we learn that the best things in life are not things. You will learn to live the day for we will never get another one like it. We learn to love all we can and relish in the miracle of each other. And we are reminded that unconditional love and acceptance are the sole purpose of life. You will watch the resilience of the human soul and its dazzling beauty. You will find many things on this arduous, wonderful and sometimes strange journey, but most of all you will find yourselves. In the mystery of it all, we have been given all we need to make life work - to find G-d and happiness. Not story-book tales, but genuine lives that make our soul shine. And although you will find fine, caring professionals in the world of medicine, you will be empowered to know that that there is no one like a mother. i pray for your ordeal to be over soon, thoroughly and completely behind you. But may the lessons and the love last on and on.
