An Example of Real Gratitude Over the Weekend
Since weekend stories frequently get lost in the media shuffle, as we've pointed out before, we wanted be sure you didn't miss this sincere expression of gratitude, a quality most of us need to increase in our lives.
A weekend article in the Wall Street Journal describes how lobotomies were performed on over 2,000 people in VA hospitals after the war. At the time, the procedure was thought to be appropriate for people who did not respond to electro-shock therapy. The article revolves around the story of Dorothy Dieffenwierth and the life she led as a result of procedures once believed to be legitimate and effective that now seem barbaric. But I was especially struck by her son's remark.
We live in an age of victims and blame. How many times we hear people complain about what the world has done to them. How many times we hear children whine about how "traumatized" they were and are by their parents. This man could easily have complained about the difficulties his mother's condition caused him growing up. But he doesn't. He understands and appreciates how difficult life must have been for his mother. How incredibly refreshing!
The article ends with the son's fervent wish and prayer:
“I didn’t have a sane mom, but I had one who was adequate to get me through life, and for that I’m grateful.”This man speaks of a nurse serving during World War II who was lobotomized by Veterans Administration doctors because of the psychotic behavior she manifested after the war, likely a result of her experiences as a nurse during the war. The poor woman continued her life post-lobotomy, married, had children and now resides in a nursing home.
A weekend article in the Wall Street Journal describes how lobotomies were performed on over 2,000 people in VA hospitals after the war. At the time, the procedure was thought to be appropriate for people who did not respond to electro-shock therapy. The article revolves around the story of Dorothy Dieffenwierth and the life she led as a result of procedures once believed to be legitimate and effective that now seem barbaric. But I was especially struck by her son's remark.
We live in an age of victims and blame. How many times we hear people complain about what the world has done to them. How many times we hear children whine about how "traumatized" they were and are by their parents. This man could easily have complained about the difficulties his mother's condition caused him growing up. But he doesn't. He understands and appreciates how difficult life must have been for his mother. How incredibly refreshing!
The article ends with the son's fervent wish and prayer:
“Lord Jesus,” he says, “bless my mom. Give her peace in her life and in her mind.”You can read the article HERE.
Comments