We constantly hear reports from the media about the possible approaching pandemic of bird flu. There have been recent reports from Orange and even some here in Beaumont about a few individuals who have been bitten by infected mosquitoes and contracted the West Nile virus. We hear about the brain wasting mad cow disease that has once again showed up in Canadian beef.

While these are important health issues for us, the possibility of our being directly impacted by one of these diseases is actually quite small. There are much greater issues of life that will directly impact each one of us sooner or later. And, unfortunately, it usually turns out to be much sooner.

There is the nine year old child who suddenly becomes troublesome, reactive, irritable, uncooperative, and saying that she does not want to live anymore. What is the problem? Her parents have just separated and are getting a divorce. A world that was secure is now falling apart.

Separation and Divorce have an unbelievable impact on our children. They often believe that they are responsible for what has happened. We know that this is not the case. But to a child’s mind, that is the logical assumption.

The couple had been happily married for over fifty years. They had lovely grandchildren and the first great grandchild was on the way. Suddenly, the wife is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Within the short time span of four months, she is dead. Not only has he lost his companion of over fifty years, he has also lost the bill payer, organizer, coordinator, the hub of his life. It has been over seven years and he still carries regrets, what ifs, should haves, and a host of guilt feelings.

It began with misplacing simple things. Things that should be remembered could not be recalled. She noticed it long before it became obvious to others. Something was not right in her head. It progressed very rapidly. It was diagnosed as Alzheimer’s. In a very short time she has been robbed of that which is most precious to us; our memory. She now does not know who her husband is. She gets lost in her house. Thankfully she has not become combative, but her sleep patterns are all mixed up. She sleeps very little at night and her husband has been pushed to the absolute limit of physical, mental, and emotional endurance.

They had been happily married for twenty years. They had a delightful teenage daughter who was all they could have ever hoped for. Then the phone call came in the middle of the afternoon. There had been a freak accident at work. He died instantly. What do you do? Where do you turn? Months later you need to talk, you want to talk. All you friends have started avoiding you. They have heard enough about what you are feeling, about what you are going through. You even had one tell you that enough time had passed. You need to get over it and get on with your life. You are young. You will get married again. But, you are not over it. You do not want to get married again. You want your husband back.

The difficult issues of life eventually confront us all. Many struggle through, alone, in a fog.

They have no where to go, and no one to turn to.

All of us need a safe, secure place to work through the tangle of emotions that have knotted up inside.

Have the tough issues of life destroyed your world?

We can help.

Contact: Bill Morgan
Call: (409) 898-7074.

or email:
bmorgan@calvarybeaumont.com