Love in a Dark World

I just finished reading Night by Elie Wiesel. As someone who survived living in concentration camps during the Holocaust, he shared his story so that others would hear of the horror and terrible things done to the Jews.

As I read the book, it continued to make me wonder where everyone else was in the world. How could this tragedy happen? As Elie asked where God was, I myself was wondering how this could happen in this world. On a smaller scale, I went back to the abuse and neglect I survived while growing up. I had often wondered where God was. I often pleaded with God to stop the abuse. The abuse I endured continued on and off for seven years. The neglect went on for a separate three years. I often wonder why God let it continue for so long, but I am so grateful for how far I have come and that I survived my own tragedy.

One of the reasons I want to speak out about what has happened to me is so that others will find they have a voice as well. In a way, I want to be a voice for the thousands who have been silenced. So often, we are too ashamed to come forward and speak, but there is something so awesome, so empowering, so wonderful about speaking out. And it’s not only about the horrible abuse. It’s about the hope that we find by hearing others speak about how they overcame the awful and unspeakable. It's about the hope we have to offer the world as a whole.

We speak so we do not forget.

“If we forget, we are guilty, we are accomplices.” 

–Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize speech

“Having survived, I needed to give some meaning to my survival.”

–Elie Wiesel, Night

I find meaning in my survival when I have opportunities to help others. I have devoted my life to making a difference in this world and in the lives of the people around me. Lately, I have been walking a lot and raising money for various charities that feed the hungry and funds for research of AIDS, cancer and malaria. Whenever I walk, I am not only helping myself mentally, but I am helping others these charities. In a small way, I am making a difference in this world.

This morning, I had the wonderful opportunity to donate blood.

It is such a blessing to be able to donate blood because it is one of the easiest ways to save lives. With my blood type being AB+, I am a universal donor of plasma, so I went through what is called an apheresis process. As you may know, blood is made of three different components- red blood cells, plasma and platelets. The apheresis machine separates the blood into these components so that a person can donate certain parts of their blood, or they can choose to donate whole blood. I chose to donate plasma and platelets this morning.

It means more than I can say to have a chance to help others who are fighting for their lives. Each day is a struggle for me, but I cannot imagine what some of the people who will receive my donation are going through. Some may be people who have been severely burned. Some may be fighting against leukemia or another form of cancer. It matters more than I can express to be able to give back in such a small way to make a huge difference in the lives of total strangers. All I know is that I spent two short hours donating blood this morning and those were two hours well spent.

We don’t have to do anything drastic in this world. After all, you and I are only two people. But together, we can change this world. Some may call me a dreamer. But I have seen how small deeds can make a big difference. I am not trying to win a Miss America pageant. I only want to spread the message of hope and love. God has shown me love in every aspect of my life. How else can you explain that I grew up in such an unloving environment yet all I want to do is show love to others? The answer is God's love. The answer is that I have seen His light in my darkness. I have found the hope to continue living my life because of Him.

Let us not forget the horrors of yesterday, but let us walk into a more peaceful and loving tomorrow. It begins with each of us. To create a world full of love takes each and every one of us making a difference in a small way.

The greatest commandment we have been given and the greatest gift we can offer this world all comes down to one word: love.

“Greater love hath no man than this, 

that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

-John 15:13 (KJV)