When we lose one blessing, another is often, most unexpectedly, given in its place. - C. S. Lewis
I've been putting off this post for a while now, but since I have finally processed my feelings, and also since it is the 10th anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11, I figured that this would be the perfect time to write about a topic I have been dealing with lately: loss. I have lost a few good and also a few bad things in my life lately, and it's time for me to address it.
On Friday September 2nd, my Uncle David passed away from cancer at the age of 64.
A few years ago, the doctors detected a malignant form of melanoma in his eye, which subsequently had to be removed. Over the years, the cancer spread until he could no longer fight it anymore. What I admired about my uncle is, despite losing his eye, he never complained about his illness a single time. He was always more concerned about everyone's needs over his own. He was a real man in every sense of the word. Despite his illness, he maintained his role as the Director of Engineering at Cuisinart and served as one of the leaders of the company to make Cuisinart what it is today. I was very close to my Uncle David, so this time has been very tough for me and my family. He will always be remembered as a kind, generous, and selfless man who loved his family with all of his heart.
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| Me and my uncle <3 |
Along with this horrible loss, I also endured another loss, the loss of my relationship, a relationship that turned out to be very toxic for me.
I suffered silently while I was dealing with his drinking problem and the verbal put-downs that came with the destructive addiction. I tried my best to be patient, loving, and selfless during the relationship, which ended in the same way that it had progressed, in a verbally abusive manner. I was blamed for causing his drinking problem, and I was called a "weak-minded, dependent leech" and many other offensive names. I was made to feel small and insignificant, things that I know I am not.
I realize now that I am much better off, and that there is a real man out there who is going to treat me with respect, like the independent, loving, and loyal woman that I am. All in all, this loss turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
And lastly, I wanted to address the events of 9/11 due to the fact that it is the tenth anniversary of the tragic events that occurred that day in 2001 in my favorite city in the world, New York City. I remember sitting in my high school's library when a bunch of my friends told me to come to the library TV to see the news. Seeing the twin towers collapsing was heartbreaking and also terrifying. Since I lived in CT, a lot of my friends had family members and relatives that commuted to New York City, some of whom actually worked in the World Trade Center. It was beyond tragic but also uplifting to see how our country banded together to help the victims of the WTC collapse and airplane crashes. We live in the best country in the world, which allows us freedoms to be whoever we want to be and do what we want to do. I am blessed to call the United States of America, and specifically New York City, my home.
After all of the tragedy in my life lately, I have realized exactly how important it is to be positive at times like these. I have tried to find the good in each of these situations instead of focusing on the negative:
I will try to be as strong of a person as my Uncle David was, I will make sure the next relationship I am in is one of mutual respect and love, and I will be thankful for everything I have in my life.
After all of this loss in my life, I have realized how many amazing family members, friends, and even blog friends (that I have never met!) that I am blessed to have and who have supported me throughout everything I have gone through. I am grateful for each and every one of you.
Question of the Day:
How do you cope with loss and negativity? How do you stay positive during stressful times?
