Life, The Universe, & Everything
Douglas Adams surmised that the answer to all life’s questions was 42, I presume because the number 42 feels just as likely an answer as any other in a world where so much pain and suffering exists. I can’t say I blame him. And while I know the answer is not so arbitrary as a number, I can say I have often questioned my understanding of life, the universe, and everything as I’ve walked this difficult path with my son. Why should a little baby have to suffer so much? Why can’t I be a normal mom with normal kids? Why me? Why? Why? Why? It sounds really whiny when I think on it. After all, do I really think I’m the only person who is living a life they didn’t sign up for or expect? Do I really think my suffering or my son’s suffering is any more awful than the next person’s? The truth is everyone suffers- pain is the universal currency of this planet. To think I would be any different is to be supremely naive or obnoxiously arrogant. I am but a speck of dust on a speck of dust whirling ...