REFLECTIONS : “ UP ” Is the Way
by TERESITA BACANI-OROPILLA , MD
From peaceful sleep just before dawn , she was awakened by the fire alarm . Getting up and opening the bedroom door , a blast of hot air and soot enveloped her .
Her husband , already on the first floor , told her to call EMS , who in turn advised anyone in the house to leave . On the way down the stairs , disoriented and unable to see nor breathe well , her husband had to assist her in leaving through their front door . The couple watched their home burn ‘ til only the façade remained . Despite efforts of firefighters , it was a total loss .
A pediatrician in her sixties , she finally retired , sadly leaving her clinic partner and staff to take care of their patients . But it was time . She and her retired Army officer husband travelled to discover what wonders other countries had to offer : sites where wars were fought , the aurora borealis , cruising down the Danube , exploring the ancient wonders of Athens and Rome , watching the Olympics in Tokyo and Rio , and taking pictures of the Eiffel Tower while her husband ’ s eyes were still able to appreciate the beauty around him .
Before always , back to their home in Atlanta , with its familiar spaces and accumulated memories - but now , that is all gone !
How does one face a disaster such as this ? Compromised health , homeless to the point of zero other clothes , no bed to lay one ’ s body , no place to cook if food is available , no means of transportation , and “ Where are those drivers ’ licenses and credit cards to prove who you are , and what assets you have ?”
This sad tale reminds us of the poor amongst us and of those who have left their homes due to war , persecutions , extreme poverty or the danger of daily life in their home countries . They have to leave all that are dear to them , families , properties and styles of life . They have to think of how and where to protect and raise their children and make sacrifices to do so .
All of the above people identified are in the same situation , the solution of which is “ Start all over .” The only way now is “ UP !”
Starting from near nothing , with courage , determination and perseverance , and help from the more fortunate at times , they forge their way up to an acceptable semblance of the way they lived before . Many even surpass it !
Assets and material goods are the niceties of life , but “ Faith in oneself and one ’ s God , and the courage to rise from the depths , spells contentment and peace .” And luck – and the kindness of strangers – must be with you .
Do you agree ? Dr . Bacani-Oropilla is a retired pediatrician and psychiatrist .
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