First, it was Luz’s dad (Luz is one of our friends here in Boston, one of Olesya’s classmates). He had a heart attack. A few days later, Mariana (my niece) was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent surgery. Days after Mariana’s surgery, Luz’s dad passed away. Around those days, Mariana had a really difficult day, but came back, with extra strength and good spirits. Then, a few days later, when Mariana had just left the intensive care unit, we learned that Miguel (another friend, another classmate of Olesya) had an accident in Amsterdam; he underwent two surgeries, and is still in the hospital.

The life lesson is, there is no point in asking “why?”, but only to stay together when these things happen, and try to help in any way we can, and be thankful, every day, for having so many good things that are so easily taken for granted —good health, a job, …

Mariana’s surgery has united my family, and friends, and friends of friends, in a way that we never imagined. We are thankful for being so many, and so close. Miguel’s accident is also uniting people all over the world.

In my day-to-day, I see things with a different perspective, and try to whine less, and thank more. And I, like many, many others right now, keep Luz’s family, and Mariana, and Miguel in my thoughts and my heart to go through this moment with strength and patience. There IS a light at the end of the tunnel; if you can’t see it sometimes, don’t worry, we are here, and together we move in the right direction.