Columns Jerry Maldonado Compassion Not Criticism for Ones Pain by Jerry Maldonado
| Compassion Not Criticism for Ones Pain by Jerry Maldonado |
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| Written by Jerry Maldonado | |
| Sunday, 26 October 2008 | |
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This first story comes from my early years as an ignorant teenager. I thought I met the girl of my dreams. She had wealth, intelligence, and was one who stood out from all the rest with her creativity. I thought I was in heaven, and then noticed something about her that I was unfamiliar with. She was always plagued with massive migraines that would cripple her for days. Back then, illness on my side of the family was never taken seriously, therefore, I often criticized her for over reacting. My solution was telling her to just take a pill. Out of anger one night she told me the source of her headaches were caused by an auto accident she had before we met. In my mind I did not see any visible wounds so my immature self thought there was no problem. Obviously this relationship did not last long because of my ignorance.As I write this I look back and realize my next girlfriend brings up memories of my previous relationship. Only this time I was older, not wiser. She was also involved in an auto accident years earlier that left her back in a shambles. You would think I’d learned my lesson, but my old immature self came out again and I ridiculed her about her injury. Matter of fact, her pain was so severe that she required weekly treatments from a chiropractor to no avail. I thought she was just suffering from lack of attention or even some psycho somatic illness, but even if she was, she wanted my help, even more important, my love and support which I did not provide. My guess is you know the outcome. After a few years she abruptly ended the relationship. I remember the day she left like it was yesterday. The one thing that stood out from that whole conversation was before we said good-bye; I admitted to her that it was my fault. In the end, I met the women of my dreams. Even now I sometimes catch myself doing those juvenile things that caused so many others pain. I don’t regret what I did because I learned so much from my mistakes. I hope the people that were involved with me so long ago understand and now lead successful lives pain free and have someone there to support them just like I do. Coincidently, things have come back to haunt me. In May 1998, I was involved in an auto accident that left me with a permanent head injury and daily migraines. In addition, my wife has noticed my constant struggle with back pain as I gobble Advil on a daily basis. Is this payback from the man upstairs? I don’t think so, but he might be trying to teach me a lesson. Who knows? Just make sure that if you see someone in pain, open your heart, offer compassion, and help them as much as you can. Don’t criticize or you might endure their pain someday. |
I believe life is a learning process we all go through. Unfortunately, sometimes you hurt people along the way. These are true stories.| < Prev | Next > |
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