WhatFriendsDo was founded because a family friend, Laura, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in her twenties. Recently, a mom of young children who had a WhatFriendsDo team, passed away from cancer. Another team was created to support a dad, also with a young children, who is facing terminal cancer.
Why do bad things happen to good people? I certainly don't have the answer to this age old question and don't believe anyone does. Over the years, I've heard many try to explain it and even as a child, it never made sense to me. What I do know is that out of these tragic experiences, we are witnesses to the kindness and generosity of humanity. In the most terrible of times, people come together and it's truly a beautiful thing.
In the most terrible of times, people come together and it's truly a beautiful thing.
At WhatFriendsDo, we see tragedy more than most, because we are helping people who have cancer day in and day out. Over the past few months, three of the people we were helping have passed away. Friends often ask me if my job is depressing. I admit this can take a toll, because we get attached to our teams and share in the sadness when there is loss. But on a positive side -- a very positive side -- we also see what good can come out of such sad situations. People come together with love and support in the most amazing ways sharing talents and gifts to help pull their loved ones through such pain and sadness. Without trying times, we would not have the opportunity to see this goodness in people.
Without trying times, we would not have the opportunity to see this goodness in people.
The world is a crazy place right now and it can be very scary. I often find myself asking, "What is wrong with people?" When I look away from the big picture view and zoom in on daily life, I see friends coming together supporting a loved one facing a crisis. A wonderful benefit of my job is that I have a front row seat to witness first hand how friends and family rally to cover meals, drive soccer carpool, pick up groceries, send care packages and cards, take hospital shifts, say prayers, lend a shoulder and more. And then I am reminded, over and over again, what is right with people.
I am reminded, over and over again, what is right with people.
After that, I often cry tears of happiness coming through sadness and then get on with my day. I have more helping to do!