This Content Is Only For Subscribers
The Bright Beginnings
This is a real-life story of a journey of resilience about my best friend, a mother of three. I remember her as an incredibly positive person, someone who always saw the bright side of things. No matter what challenges came her way, she faced them with a smile and laughter. Her cheerful disposition made her beloved by many, and she had a large circle of friends who cherished her bubbly personality.
University Days: A Testament to Determination
During our university days, she worked incredibly hard, taking on a part-time job as a tuition teacher. The pay was minimal, but she persevered, using every penny she earned to pay off her student loans. Her determination and resilience were truly inspiring. She would often pack meals for her friends and was always there when someone needed support.
The Surprising Transformation
It’s hard to believe that such a positive and vibrant woman could become so negative after getting married. The transformation has been surprising and heartbreaking to witness. Her once unshakeable optimism has been overshadowed by the difficulties she faced.
Reuniting by Fate
We lost touch after university, each of us moving to different countries to pursue our careers. However, fate had a way of bringing us back together. She was looking for a job just as my company was hiring, and just like that, our paths crossed once more. We began working at the same company, and she was just as bubbly and positive as I remembered. Her infectious optimism brought smiles and happiness to everyone in the office.
A Vibrant Social Life and Acts of Kindness
Like many young professionals in their mid-twenties, we enjoyed a vibrant social life, filled with clubbing, exploring cafes, and other adventures. Her kindness extended beyond her social circle; she actively participated in various charities, helping the elderly and always showing compassion to others. I believe it was these acts of kindness and the blessings she accumulated that helped her endure the challenges that lay ahead.
Meeting Her Husband and a New Chapter
After a few years of working, she met her current husband while attending a course. He was a kind and gentle man who loved her dearly. They often talked on the phone about spiritual matters, as they were living in different places at the time. To cut a long story short, after a few months of dating, they decided to get married, and she moved to his hometown. I should mention that her husband is 20 years older than she is. It was after this move that things began to change.
A Beautiful Wedding and a Troubling Turn
She moved back to her husband’s country, and they had a beautiful wedding in a villa attended by family, relatives, and close friends. I was honored to be her bridesmaid, and we had a wonderful time celebrating together. They were happily living together, sharing a home with her husband’s mother. Everything seemed perfect until she became pregnant with their first child.
The Pregnancy Complications
The first few months of her pregnancy went smoothly. However, around the sixth month, while we were talking on the phone, she mentioned feeling a bit dizzy and wanting to rest. Little did I know, that would be the last time I’d hear from her for several months. She fell severely ill with a mysterious condition and was rushed to the local hospital. Unfortunately, the medical facilities in her husband’s country were not very advanced, so she had to be transferred to a nearby country with better medical care, a journey that took 7-8 hours by car.
A Critical Condition and a Call for Prayers
During her hospital stay, her family informed me that her condition was extremely critical. She remained unconscious for 1-2 months, and her brother even took to Facebook to ask for prayers from all her friends. It was a dire time, and everyone was hoping for a miracle. Throughout this ordeal, she was still carrying her baby.
A Miraculous Birth and Recovery
Miraculously, one day, the baby was born prematurely in a manner that still seems almost magical—her family and the doctors relayed to her that the baby seemed to have “crawled out” on his own, and at the same time, she regained consciousness. The premature baby was immediately placed in the ICU for specialized care.
Remarkably, that little boy is now 10 years old. This was just the beginning of her journey through recovery and the immense struggles that followed. Stay tuned for part two, where I will share how she navigated the healing process and the challenges she faced during this difficult period.
Other resources:
Finding Light in Darkness: Embracing Growth and Resilience | by ComplexityBeauty | Thoughtscapes | Medium
The Power of Resilience: Overcoming Fear with Courage — FDCW (compassionandwisdom.org)
A Mom’s Journey Through Postnatal Depression and the Path to Overcoming It – Tiny Minds World
