tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984825512264475938.post1891914636241070125..comments2023-11-05T03:45:56.419-08:00Comments on Mum Making Lemonade: Keep the Faith..Ruth Ellen Drakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131777673157789412noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984825512264475938.post-53323471686355235922011-11-25T13:22:08.182-08:002011-11-25T13:22:08.182-08:00This blog post made me think a bit before replying...This blog post made me think a bit before replying. I don't believe in 'God' in the way that a Christian would. I have my own faith, which is strong and has been with me for a while, but I don't believe in a God who has a plan for everyone and who sprinkles miracles.<br /><br />I do think that everything happens for a reason though. And that good can come out out the blackest of occurences and even the worst tragedies.<br /><br />I think about a friend of mine, who has a disabled sister, whose parents found the will and drive to set up Hope House, which has now given respite and help and indeed hope to many parents who have children who need that extra love and attention. Was it a tragedy that their child was born with those difficulties? Yes it was. But good was borne of it, however painful that might be.<br /><br />And then I started thinking of all of the good work you've done, fighting those decisions about closing the children's wards, raising awareness, getting people involved and reminding people that they have a right to have a say in these sorts of decisons. Would you have done that without realising exactly how valuable those services were? We all like to think we would do such things but we need that personal spur to gear us into actions and you took your bad experiences and your pain and channelled it into making sure things did not get worse for other people. That takes a rare kind of strength. <br /><br />Parents with fully able children would never have set up something like Hope House. Nor would they have campaigned so strongly and forthrightly for the salvation of those services, which if removed could have lead to heartache and heartbreak for many more people.<br /><br />How many families were saved? Marriages saved? People's lives saved? It's immense to think about once you start (and I do intend to go back to my scheduled Friday-night-vino after I finish this thought, because the thought is overwhelming)<br /><br />I don't believe that God tests people, but I do think that life does and that some people rise to that challenge with vigour and strength and courage, and I've watched you do that this year Ruth. Elin is a treasure as she is, and although what happened to her and to you is still a tragedy, you have brought good out of it with the results of your campaign about the children's wards. And you are a treasure also, for your strength and all the good you have done in your campaign. <br /><br />Kate xKate Joneshttp://ladycluck.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.com