Ok. I remember this episode very clearly from earlier in the year. I thought it was a really amazing example about how people can be graceful in handling tragedy. The families involved didn't display otherworldly ability to transcend grief or sadness - that's one of the things I liked about them. Sometimes, the guests on this show seem so far above human reaction to difficult situations, that I can't even relate to them. However, these two families were so lovely and honest, I think they both could be looked to as examples of poise and openness, even in the deepest of grief. I admired them all.
But having said that, I wouldn't have found them at fault for being angry, horribly sad, and envious of each other (depending on what point in the timeline of their story you meet them).
This show was so heavy for me to watch. It was so deeply emotional, I need a break! It doesn't look like we're going to be let off the hook with tomorrow's show, but I'm at least glad it's a rerun from 2007 that I haven't seen. A "fresh" show in a sea of heavier reruns is always sweet.
And as you can probably tell by the continued flat tone of my writing...I'm still feeling craptastic. My cold rages on. Even the cats are looking at me with pity. All right, maybe I'm reading too much into their stares - they might just want treats - but I like to endow them with human emotion whenever possible. In fact, right now, they seem really annoyed that I'm talking about them online without their permission.
It's nauseating, isn't it? I promise - at least I don't speak to them in a baby voice or dress them up in adorable outfits.
Unless Oprah really wants me to. And then I'd do it. I'd be willing to sacrifice my cats' dignity for this project. Oprah? Just say the word. You pick the theme, I'll sew the costume. Oprah?
And yes, I finally broke down and took some cold medicine. Can you tell?
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15 comments:
yeah, I cried watching this one. At the very end - when he said he also had the happy ending he just hadn't seen it all yet. oh man...
Ugh I've been feeling sick for a couple weeks. I know my cats are sick of me. Then again I do take cutesy pictures of them w/their Christmas stockings...
I hope you feel better
Hey there.
We live just a few dozen miles north of where this terrible tragedy happened, inbetween where the group was and where they were going. I remember that night. I remember the days after all this. Very sad for our entire area. This is one I love to see because it reminds me that there are people in this world that are truly God's vessels here on Earth. The VanRyan family FULL of these precious vessels. This episode makes me cry. The university where these girls attended is facing some serious financial issues right now and is having to close one of the two area campus' so if you feel so led, please pray for Taylor university as they make some hard changes.
Garsy
Hi LO,
I didn't see today's show, and am really writing about your cold.
I'm sorry that you are having such a hard time with your cold. I had to go to the doctor last spring because my cold would not go away. I was taking over the counter Advil or something like that. The doctor told me to take a one pill a day antihistimine (really tiny little allergy pill ... store brand) and a two times a day Muconex. I'll be darned if those two things didn't really work!
Hope you feel better soon! Hang in there, your project is almost over. You have done a wonderful job.
Anon. Kathy
oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy.blogspot.com
The grace and openness of these two families moved me to tears, overwhelmed by the power of their deep faith through such a tragedy. I am moved by the coroner's perspective, most especially by his heartfelt emotions about the situation. All I could think was that there but for God's grace goes anyone. Though I don't have a particularly specific theological viewpoint, I felt the power of love in this story.
Sorry this comment is not about today's show but I wanted to leave it anyways. I have been reading your blog for awhile and am recently reading a book called the Year of Living Biblically about a man who takes the Bible as literally as possible...My question is are you planning to write a book about your Oprah experiment?
Hi LO, I hope you get better soon.
Today's episode moved me to tears. I've noticed something unique, that none of the families in the mistaken identity case were interested in filling a law suit. It makes a lot of sense, however, there are so many people that always try to make a buck even though they don't have a real reason for a lawsuit.
I hadn't seen the original airing of this show. What lovely families they are. The families seem to have made peace with what happened, but my heart ached for that coroner who is deeply haunted by the error of mistaken identity.
Hang in there LO- A bad cold is a great excuse for decadent napping and hot chocolate. Also, like Anon-Kathy, when I recently had vertigo from head congestion, the remedy was mucinex and allergy medicine. I took Zyrtec. It really did work!
Chinese hot and sour soup will cure a cold for me every time. I read also that 100 years ago, people used to put a pinch of cayenne pepper in a glass of hot water and chug it.
Didn't see the ep, but I like what you said about "so far above human reaction to difficult situations". When watching 'inspirational' shows, I sometimes think that I'm a bad person for not reacting like Mother Teresa when bad things happen. It's comforting to see other people who have anger, grief and pain.
As for the cats, they do know when you're talking about them so be careful what you say. I'm convinced that if mine had opposable thumbs, they'd kill me, steal the credit cards and live quite happily on internet-bought catnip and Fancy Feast.
Can you recap what the story was that these families suffered through? Some of us don't watch Oprah but love reading your blog anyway. ;) This is one of the few times when I feel that not having seen the show is really taking away from my ability to enjoy the blog and comments.
LO,
Watch what you say about your cats on line or they will sabotage you! ;>) My youngest kitty is very smart and hates it that he has no thumb. He would have the front door opened in a flash if he could just manage to turn the knob and pull--he tries every day!
Eat your hot soup, drink your fluids, keep the cold air off your neck, and eat something garlicky--garlic is great for infections. Actually, I'm going to have to apply all this advice on my DH; he came home this afternoon feeling rotten. Time to get some hot & sour! My heart-felt get-well wishes are headed your way; please feel better soon.
hi! I was a student at Taylor at the time of the accident and knew every family in some capacity. It was definitely the worst experience I've ever lived through. Anyways, I think oprah talked about it on the show, but you should definitely read their book Mistaken Identities if you haven't already. It's an amazing book about their journey.
i love your blog by the way!
We call our cat Felix the Feline Physician. Whenever I'm sick he is right there. I had surgery last year and he stayed in bed with me the entire recovery. If I got out of bed, he'd come with me and then scold me with annoying meows until I went back to bed.
So endow away!
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