Finding Strength in Adversity - A Story of Belief And Resilience

By Nougye Mutungi Mukoma

A Story of Belief And Resilience

Through my father Jean Joseph pictured, I learned the power of belief, hope, and faith. Through my mother Marie Joseph pictured, I learned tenacity, strength, power, and resilience. Through my siblings, I learned the significance of the present moment, whatever it may bring. And through my faith in the creator, I’ve learned the power of being.

If you think about it, we take so many things for granted in our everyday lives… all while worrying about our mundane daily activities. But have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you woke up one day and found that the sun wasn’t shining through your eyes anymore?

Well, this is exactly what happened to my father. In the prime of his life with a sudden blindness of both eyes. I witnessed his first day of blindness, confused and afraid as a little girl. This became a major turn within the life of our family.

I and my siblings have first-hand experienced years of struggles which consisted of watching the stories of my parents unfold through belief, perseverance, and sheer determination. Perhaps this is why I know how important it is to be grateful for all the blessings that the Creator has showered upon us.

The Power of Faith

In what could only be considered a miraculous turn of events, my father called upon God with his unshakeable belief, to summon his faith that he would be able to see once again. Naturally, many people said that he would never see the light of day. But that didn’t deter my father.

One day, he and my mother were walking to a nearby laundromat as he held the red and white stick in hand, a stick  used for safety by those who are blind, a glimpse of red glimmers, to which he asked, “Is this a red car I see?” My mother, hesitantly, but excitedly uttered, “Yes!”

Of course, after years of surgeries and multiple hospitalizations, doctors had lost all hope. Now, they were baffled by the whole thing but found joy in this miracle. So much so that they taught him the song, “Amazing grace, I once was blind, but now I see.” So, this did not mean he regained complete vision,  but enough to be grateful,  as he had been enrolled in inpatient programs preparing to live as a blind man.

There are countless stories and instances that I can talk about from my parents’ lives that can illustrate the power of belief and resilience. They were quite literally warriors in life. In fact, my mother through the hardship, supported the family single-handedly. Unable to afford a vehicle at the time, her days were spent working, taking busses and trains from dusk till dawn. Attending school at night, she eventually became a nurse. My father a former professor,  and who once in his younger days attended medical school, felt that he could follow her trail. Even though he was legally blind and had minimal vision, he felt like he could still use that limited vision to move around in the world!

An Impact I Am Grateful For

I never envisioned the impact all of this would have on my own life. I am sure no kid has an idea growing up. But things like these do leave their imprints. In reflection, I can certainly say that my parents are my internal engines that power me from within.

I, too, have dealt with the variety of cards life deals you. But being a witness to my parent’s struggles and having lived those experiences gave me the tenacity to do more than just survive. I learned to even thrive on my darkest days.

Life is a web of experiences where lessons can be learned from or through the experiences of others. And, for good, bad, or indifferent, this is the beauty of this world. In a way, you not only experience life through your own self but through so many others around you.

We dance with nature and one another, and the spirit of the unknown. When I am down, I remember the tenacious resilience of my parents, they are my why, and my engines of being. They are the perfect vessels of creation from which I was honored to be born.

Who has inspired you? What have you learned from them? And how has it affected you? I would be glad to read all about your experiences.

Be inspired, be resilient, and be of good courage. Be the trusted vessel through which the universal creator manifests its principles.

I thank you as always.

Blessings,

Nougye