Perhaps you read in the paper the story about the 14-year-old Cleveland girl who had to undergo a leg amputation to arrest the spread of cancer in her hip. It was a particularly touching story, because the child, Christine Simko, was so terrified she ran away from the hospital. She was brought back, and over the protestations of her mother, the amputation was performed. Her mother cried to reporters "what kind of a life can my daughter have now? She used to run away and get into trouble. They operated on her leg so she won't be in trouble again. She won't be able to run. She will be in a wheelchair". I prefer to think that these are the ramblings of a confused woman overcome by personal tragedy. Some years ago a young lady I know went through the same operation. When she read of Christine's case she told me. "Somehow I have to reach that kid. This is the crucial time, now when she's recovering. Somehow, someone has to convince her that it isn't hopeless. Doctors can't do that. She has to hear it from someone who has been through the same thing she's going through". I thought to myself, how often in life we could use our own experience to guide others through perilous straits. The tragedies of life repeat themselves over and over again in our lives and in the lives of those around us. How much grief and heartache we could save each other if we just say, "I've been down this rough road you're having to travel right now. I know exactly what you are going through. Let me help you if I can." Somehow the rocky trails of life seem easier to bear if someone who knows the way is holding our hand.
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