During one of my clinic sessions, I came across this bubbly elderly lady who throughout the session was able to put on a cheerful smile. Yet deep inside, I know she was sad about the latest news that was broken to her. I could see her tears welling beneath her eyes but she maintained her smile and she maintained he poise. Just before her was another lady in her mid 30′s, who upon knowing her diagnosis broke down into tears and anger and was in denial. I asked this elderly lady, after having given my 2cents advice to somebody way beyond my age, how could she be so cheerful inside; despite her knowing her life expectancy has been shorten with her present diagnosis.
She asked me whether I knew Khalil Gibran and adviced me to read a portion of it!

This is what he wrote

” Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.

And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.

……..

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

………

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

…………., they are inseparable

Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.”

I have a story but I have yet to tell.