Stress verses distress. Stress can motivate individuals to keep moving forward, while distress can make us fall into pieces.
It’s how we view the situation, and react to the negative things that happen to
us that can help us to succeed or fail. A crisis, can bring a family closer
together or tear it apart, it’s the family’s choice whether or not to make the
situation into a stress or a distress.
Growing up, my best friend was my older
sister just above me, M. M and I loved doing things together. We had our own
club, the “fairy club”. We used to meet up at the hill from our house, there we
would decide what nice things we would try to do for our family and neighbors.
She’s a few years older than me, but she never made me feel insignificant or
stupid just because I was her kid sister. She treated me as her equal and
always helped me to see the best in myself.
As we grew up, M moved away to college, we
still talked to each other and I would go out to visit her. My sister has
always been good at putting her faith forward and making the best out of any
situation, she did the same thing in college.
M had always wanted to serve a mission, and
when she turned 21 she got her papers in and was soon called to serve in
California. She got everything prepared to go, had her farewell and was soon
off to the MTC. While in the MTC, M had a breakdown and was honorably released.
It was devastating.
I still remember that day, it was one of the
worst days of my life. I got home from school went upstairs to talk to my Mom
and M was there. I was confused, I didn’t know that M had returned home, but
something had changed her. She was lying next to my Mom; her face was pale and
fear filled her eyes. She kept repeating the words, “I’m sorry.” Tears filled
my eyes and fear gripped my throat, I backed out of the room, afraid to ask
what was going on. It felt like my sister was lost, and I didn’t know what to
do.
M was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. Our
family gathered around her, the best we knew how, but I think we were all afraid
for our M, and fear can make us do stupid things. Me especially. I started
talking less and less with my sister. I didn’t know how I could help, and M was
going through so much I felt like trying to understand things would just make
it worse for her, so I backed away. I often look back now and wish I had done
things differently. M remained strong, she was kind to each of us, and forgave
our failings. I don’t know anyone who has more strength than my sister M.
With all that was happening to M, with all
the changes she was experiencing, all the stress that had entered her life, she
didn’t let it destroy her. She put her faith in God and kept moving. Her stress
did not become distressing. M received help. She was able to get a job, do some
school, date, all while figuring out her new life. She was and continues to be
my hero, because of the way she looks at life.
M has since married a wonderful man, and soon
they may be expecting a little one to join their family. It’s because of M’s
faith and good attitude that her life is where it is now. She’s a hard-working,
kind, thoughtful individual. I’m so blessed to have her in my life, and I’m
grateful for everything she’s taught me.
Stress drastically changed my sister’s life.
M is the amazing woman she is today because of the way she’s been able to embrace
her challenges, they’ve shaped and molded her. I know she still has difficult
days and sometimes gets really down on herself but she always gets back up and
does the best she can with a positive attitude. I love my sister, and I wouldn’t
change anything about her.
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