I have found power in the mysteries of thought,
exaltation in the changing of the Muses;
I have been versed in the reasonings of men;
but Fate is stronger than anything I have known.
-Euripedes
Yesterday was an important day for the lives of my son and all the lives he’s touched in his first year in this world. He was recently admitted to the hospital for what could have been a life-threatening condition; and yesterday he had a test that ruled out the last of the possible life-threatening conditions, thus clearing the way for him to finish up his intravenous antibiotics and come home around the end of this week or the beginning of next week.
First, I can’t begin to describe how elated I am about my son coming home. And relieved. And thankful. Second, I am compelled to say that this has been a humbling experience for me … my wife and I placed our son’s life in the hands of other people, prayed to the gods and spirits to intervene on our son’s behalf, and ultimately waited for Fate to make its will in this matter known. True enough, I felt at times powerless through this experience; but I don’t wish to confuse humility with powerlessness. Throughout this experience, I was aware that something greater than me was at work – and I learned most from my infant son how to face Fate without haughtiness or arrogance. I learned that, despite all the reasons I’ve had to curse Fate, I’ve also reasons to be thankful to Fate.
It was Sir Francis Bacon who said of superstition that it observes when a thing hits, but not when it misses … I have to admit that I’ve been doing this where Fate has been concerned. This experience with my son has therefore not only instructed me in how to curb my arrogance in dealing with Fate, but how to open my eyes and see both sides of Fate, and alter my superstitious attitude.
