“She’s entered a dark place, and you must try to guide her through it,” Shane said. “On the mountain, your mom was facing physical danger, but now she’s facing relentless sorrow—a formidable opponent for even the strongest individuals. This is a defining point in your mom’s life. Either this situation will force her to find the wisdom she seeks, or she’ll fall prey to the darkness.”
“That’s why before I crossed over, I left my mom a message in my journal: Everything is a gift, even pain, and with these gifts, we pursue knowledge and eradicate hate. I knew she’d be facing this nightmarish journey, and I hoped it would help give her the strength to overcome the challenges,” Isaac said. “It seems counterintuitive, but sometimes pain can lead people to surprising gifts. I learned this from being a special needs kid. When you’re ridiculed for your disabilities, it causes one to do a lot of soul searching. Physical pain is a warning sign to help prevent someone from injuring themselves, whereas emotional pain can force people out of their comfort zones and cause them to reevaluate their perspectives on issues they’re struggling with. In doing so, they can find valuable insights, clarity of mind, and wisdom. In this way, pain is a bridge to obtaining those gifts. When people are content, they have little reason to reevaluate their perspectives. As a result, they’re less likely to find the priceless gifts that are theirs for the taking. Although this concept is challenging, especially when we’re in the eye of the storm, sometimes we learn the most from difficult journeys. . . . It’s easier to appreciate once the storm has passed, but you already know this.”