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 Scituate
- The First
Sunday of Advent is when the church begins the retelling of
the story of Jesus Christ. The number of repetitions we’ve
heard depends on our age. One might wonder that since
neither the congregation nor the story changes, why repeat
it? The homilist recognized that while that may be generally
true, the difference is that the prism through which we view
it is different, because we have changed.
In 2008, many things came to pass within our world, our
families and within us; some beneficial and bringing joy
into our lives, others, not so. Suicide bombings, the Iraq
war claiming its 4,000th soldier, seemingly endless
presidential primaries resulting in a new administration to
face, among other matters, financial markets in turmoil.
Closer to home some experienced serious illness and
sometimes the loss of family members, relatives and friends.
Some too have undergone procedures for serious medical
conditions, incurred financial reversals and for many
reasons, seen their lives and values seriously challenged.
Fleet Admiral William Halsey once said, “There are no
extraordinary men, just extraordinary circumstance that
ordinary men are forced to deal with.” So very true! Our
South Shore Support Group “Thought for the evening,” at a
past meeting was “Life is a journey in which we choose
neither the vessel nor the weather, but much can be done in
the management of the sails and guidance of the helm.”
Similarly we have spoken about “standing where the Lord puts
you;” both far easier said, than done. How things did work
out for each of us, as ordinary men and women, during this
past year varies widely; some very well, others not so.
Support groups cannot resolve the problems of the world nor
of our personal lives, but can provide a respectful place
where caring fellow-travelers can converse about issues that
they share in common, that may not be obvious to those
beyond this special “circle of friends.”
Here we provide and receive that mutual support so necessary
to those on this brain aneurysm path of life’s overall
journey. At year-end I cannot improve on a recent comment by
one of our members, “I’m glad we have us!” May all the
blessings and joys of the recent Christmas Season continue
into a new and positive vision for you as we begin this New
Year.
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About The
Author
For more information you may contact
Tom Quirk at (617) 513-3578 or via email at tfquirk@aol.com.
For more information about brain aneurysms, please visit the
Brain Aneurysm Foundation’s web site at www. bafound.org.
The South Shore Brain Aneurysm Support Group meetings are
held the second Wednesday of every month, from 7:00 - 8:30
p.m. at Norwell Visiting Nurse Association, 91 Longwater
Circle, in Norwell.
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