I’m not one to pray to any one god because I don’t believe there is only one god. I believe there are many who are in both the big and small miracles we witness every day, most of them being the ones we each carry within ourselves. We are each, in our own ways, the directors of the universe. For better or for worse we control our own destinies, we can destroy with a single act of hate, and can transform the world with a simple act of kindness or a caring word.
When things happen that we can’t explain or don’t understand, it’s difficult to see the god at work in the despair, or to know why the burden we endure is being placed upon our already weary heads—is it a test of faith, a test of the love we’ve been gifted, a reminder to live each day as if there will be no tomorrow? Or is it simply a reminder that we are stronger and more courageous than we’ve ever known possible? Is it proof that when we suffer we never do it alone? There is no certain answer for why we are burdened with the challenges we face, unless it’s for no other reason than to remind us of the strength we find in the love and support from family, friends, and the compassionate gifts from complete strangers who rally around two people who are facing uncertainty and more than a few challenges ahead, but who are being lifted up in prayer and good wishes.
Eric Arvin and TJ Klune are being tested right now, and though the why of it may be a mystery, the result of it is that a group of people are rallying around them, if not in person then in spirit, to show them how much they are valued and what a gift they are to those they may never meet, simply because they’ve shared their gift of words in the books they write and the stories they tell.
A fundraiser has been organized to help them offset some of the medical expenses they will incur before Eric is back home where he belongs. This is not a plea to give, but merely a reminder that if you should choose to do so, your gift will be valued and will be, again if you should choose, a means of helping to share their burden in your own way.
*hugs*
::smish:: <3
People like Eric and TJ makes us believe that the loving, happy and tolerant world we hope for is possible. My heart aches for two souls I may never meet yet who feel like family. Your piece here explains where that feeling comes from. I was so pleased to have the chance to help in a small way through the fundraiser.
Beverly, I was so fortunate to be at GRL this year and got to be in their Q&A, where TJ asked Eric to marry him. It was one of the brightest moments I’ve ever witnessed. It was pure and unadulterated love at work in that room, and to think now that they’re going through this trial on the heels of such joy is so difficult to understand.
They project the love they have for each other in everything they do. It’s impossible not to feel that connection and to embrace them with our hopes and good wishes for a long and happy future.
Lisa, I believe I saw you on the GRL video of ‘the proposal’ that Madison (?) put on FB, um didn’t you hit a light with the cork of the champagne?! I think it hit me hard because I was chatting to Eric via private msg, Tuesday night, before he went to the ER Weds am, he was saying how he thought his new meds for his TN were making him feel really rough and how he was upset that he would feel rough for their trip to Indiana on Thursday. He has been messaging me before I had my CT scans recently as I was scared and we talk a lot about music most days…Then this happens and there is no way to really know what’s happening. The fund gave lots of us a way to feel involved in helping him and TJ, who looks so broken. Sorry I have the habit of running on, no filter :-) Love this site and will maybe contact you later re more ‘literary’ things!
Oh, yes. Well. That was indeed my boneheaded move. :-P Oy. LOL
You absolutely feel free to contact me whenever you’d like, and we can chat more. You can tell me about your own trials, if you’d like, and I’m always ready to talk all things literary. :)
lrhoran @ gmail.com
Reblogged this on eileengriffin.
Beautiful post, Lisa! Really nicely done.
Thank you, Edmond. I just wish I could find the why of it, you know? But the kindness and compassion that has sprung from such a horrible situation is such a privilege to witness.
Lovely post. I think wondering about the why is true of all of us. I’ve always tried to subscribe to the everything happens for a reason philosophy, but more often than not it’s a hard mindset to maintain.