Self Absorbed

Sometimes I get so absorbed in my own grief that I forget that other people have their own cup of pain to drink as well.  

I discovered before our trip that the husband of one of my friends was in the ICU for the H1N1 virus plus a virulent strain of pneumonia.  She hadn't told me what was going on because she didn't want me to be worried or upset over it, having recently lost Vincent.  

As I was talking to her on the phone, I realized that although my cup of pain is different than her cup, we both are drinking it down in vats right now.  

So here’s to hoping that my grief enables me to better empathize with others.  Because sometimes I think my pain is worse than everyone else's  (it is! it is!)  Arggh!!  See what internal issues I have to deal with!?  

And sometime I’ll have to talk about the awesome conference I attended today.  I heard the best sermon ever.  Thanks Rev. Dr.  Brenda Salter McNeil!! (Here's the conference we actually attended - I couldn't find an easily readable bio of hers on their site.) 


And happy Friday everyone!