I find your reflections on the difficulty in leaving behind the “holy” of the experience most intriguing. It feels like an abandonment of that place where one really feels the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. But it’s not. Even as the daily conversations and concentration and reflection on this experience fade, it is still so entwined in who you are that it will never leave you. It’s now a part of you that will empathize with others and minister to others when they need it most. The realization that life is fragile and random now forms your world view and your vision and, even when the Accident is not thought of daily, your vision has been altered on how you see the world. You’ve experienced grief, helplessness, time standing still, and God’s grace through your community in an intense and powerful way. Those experiences are not just a part of you, but a part of everyone who went through them with you. What a privilege we all have been given to have the capacity to support each other and lift each other up so that even in the most tragic of circumstances “holy” can be experienced.
I appreciate immensely your thoughtful comments. And while I agree that our life view will always be different, it does, indeed, feel like a bit of abandonment to lose some of the intensity. It is moving from being “in one’s face” to a deeper, quieter place and the initial letting go of the “face time” does involve some grief — also trust to “know” it is all still there, full of ongoing life impact as you eloquently recount. This transition to something “deeper” is not always met with balance and trust, especially initially, but I do firmly believe and hold onto the truth that these experiences are indeed a part of us and are maturing and morphing – and this new journey, while it may be less intense,is still a profound, blessed journey
beyondthebridge 
Linda,
Amazing reflections. The photo in Nicaragua is awesome- thanks for sharing!
Love,
Elaine
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I find your reflections on the difficulty in leaving behind the “holy” of the experience most intriguing. It feels like an abandonment of that place where one really feels the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. But it’s not. Even as the daily conversations and concentration and reflection on this experience fade, it is still so entwined in who you are that it will never leave you. It’s now a part of you that will empathize with others and minister to others when they need it most. The realization that life is fragile and random now forms your world view and your vision and, even when the Accident is not thought of daily, your vision has been altered on how you see the world. You’ve experienced grief, helplessness, time standing still, and God’s grace through your community in an intense and powerful way. Those experiences are not just a part of you, but a part of everyone who went through them with you. What a privilege we all have been given to have the capacity to support each other and lift each other up so that even in the most tragic of circumstances “holy” can be experienced.
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I appreciate immensely your thoughtful comments. And while I agree that our life view will always be different, it does, indeed, feel like a bit of abandonment to lose some of the intensity. It is moving from being “in one’s face” to a deeper, quieter place and the initial letting go of the “face time” does involve some grief — also trust to “know” it is all still there, full of ongoing life impact as you eloquently recount. This transition to something “deeper” is not always met with balance and trust, especially initially, but I do firmly believe and hold onto the truth that these experiences are indeed a part of us and are maturing and morphing – and this new journey, while it may be less intense,is still a profound, blessed journey
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