#forella

Why do bad things happen to good people?

I want to believe deep down in my heart that everything happens for a reason.

And then something happens that is so tragic and unexplainable to someone that is a good person that it causes you to question your fundamental beliefs.

Recently this happened when my friend Kelly and her partner, Josh, tragically lost their daughter, Ella, in childbirth.

While I have been through both physical and mental pain in my life, I cannot fathom the pain attendant with the loss of a child.

While I have not experienced it, from my perch, I have seen many parents go through this ordeal.

Parents who survive the death of their child are never the same.

Some become so broken they cannot be fixed.

Others, on their path of healing, discover a purpose that then becomes their passion. They go through a transformative experience that changes them for the better.  I have noticed these individuals have a special energy; a healing energy.  Something more than just empathy.

This does not fill the hole left by the loss, but it is a pattern I have observed more than once.

We spent some time with Kelly and Josh last week and before we met, I really did not know what to expect.

While there certainly was a thick air of sadness, I did see Kelly smile.  I don’t know if I would even be able to hold a conversation with someone if it were me, but Kelly was actually asking about me and my day.  I guess if you really know Kelly this would not be a big surprise.

Earlier this week, Kelly posted the following to Facebook:

Kelly is taking something that is the most tragic thing that could happen to a person, and channelling that healing energy to infuse love and positivity into the world.

Kelly has inspired me to do a random act of kindness #forella and her attitude inspires me to be a better person (#forella).

Life is short.  Appreciate the moment as the next is not guaranteed.

And I hope you comply with Kelly’s birthday request, “do something kind for someone”, for Ella.