Chosen to Suffer?
I'm sick of writing that the purchase link is not working, so please read an entry below if you have any questions about it.
I have been up all night listening to love songs and trying to relax. Benji flew in from California for the book signing, but he crashed soon after getting back to my place, so I was up alone thinking.
There were so many people at the book signing, and I was having this thought: It is a common prejudice for people to think that those with mental illness deserve their illness because they are weak—either that they are weak-willed or have weak morals. Sometimes they even say, "What did you do to deserve this!" in an accusatory manner. But I was thinking about that fact that schizophrenia strikes 1% of the population. What if I was chosen to suffer with schizophrenia, not because I'm weak but because I'm strong. Of the hundred closest people I know, not a single one could deal with this illness as well as I can. It comforts me to ponder the possibility that God chose me to suffer in someone else stead, thereby saving him or her from agony that he or she couldn't bear. That is truly an act of love.
I have been up all night listening to love songs and trying to relax. Benji flew in from California for the book signing, but he crashed soon after getting back to my place, so I was up alone thinking.
There were so many people at the book signing, and I was having this thought: It is a common prejudice for people to think that those with mental illness deserve their illness because they are weak—either that they are weak-willed or have weak morals. Sometimes they even say, "What did you do to deserve this!" in an accusatory manner. But I was thinking about that fact that schizophrenia strikes 1% of the population. What if I was chosen to suffer with schizophrenia, not because I'm weak but because I'm strong. Of the hundred closest people I know, not a single one could deal with this illness as well as I can. It comforts me to ponder the possibility that God chose me to suffer in someone else stead, thereby saving him or her from agony that he or she couldn't bear. That is truly an act of love.
Andrew! The book signing looked like a roaring success for the book. How was it for you, personally? I hope not too much to recover from...how long will Benji be around? Perhaps it will help
to wind down to have him to talk to.
I finished the book this morning. I
read for 2 hours last night, then the rest this morning. It is very good, I learned more about both illnesses, &
you make it easier to understand. I have already given it to my sister from
Iowa (their neice Lyndsey has Schizophrenia) she was just diagnosed earlier this year. The book will help Wendy to relate to Lyndsey. Wendy's husband Mark is a family M.D. & he is looking forward to reading it, too. He
is a very empathetic guy, and will really appreciate your insights. I was
glad to meet your brother-I didn't meet
the rest of the family-I felt like there
were a lot of more important people there for them to talk to. That is why
I didn't talk to Benji's parents either.
It was a very nice event & I hope you sold a lot of books! Nancy Huber
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You finished the book already?! That is amazing. I thought the book signing was good, but I couldn't really judge it for myself because I didn't really get to talk to anyone--too busy signing books. It was great seeing you there. Thank you for attending.
Overall, it was a bit difficult on me, but not too bad. I didn't sleep at all last night because I was so wound-up, and I did end up hear one voice: it was a female childing crying for her mother; a little unsettling, but nothing too bad. Thanks again.
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