Trigger Warning: Child Loss
Dates have a profound significance, often holding stories of joy or sorrow. For me, November 8th is etched with memories of trauma and grief. In 2013, our vibrant 18-month-old son lost his life in a tragic car accident, turning our lives upside down in a fleeting moment.
No parent is ever truly prepared for the heart-wrenching experience of losing a child; it defies the natural order of life. My own mother passed away from breast cancer when I was a teenager, a painful experience in its own right. However, cradling my son as he took his last breath was an experience beyond comprehension, shattering my very being.
There are times when I want to retreat from the world; even now, that feeling lingers. Grief is an overwhelming force, a wave that can feel never-ending. Learning to navigate this deep pain and find a way to move forward has been one of the toughest lessons I’ve faced. Some days, I manage to rise above it; on others, I stumble. I gauge my progress by my ability to endure the tough days—and believe me, they are numerous.
The story of Joe Biden’s losses resonates deeply with me. Unless you’ve experienced the harrowing trauma of losing a child, it’s impossible to fully grasp that pain. My heart shattered when I learned of the passing of his son Beau in 2015. He had already weathered the storm of losing his wife and daughter years before. How does one endure such profound loss and continue to persevere?
In recent weeks, I’ve seen people on social media label the current President as “strong.” They claim his strength comes from having “beaten” the coronavirus or from dominating debates. A Gallup Poll in September presented him as a more “strong and decisive leader” than Joe Biden.
But how do we, as Americans, define strength? What qualities do we seek in our leaders? I pondered the question: “How does one endure such tremendous loss and carry on?” As someone who grapples with grief daily, I believe I have found the answer.
We might label Joe Biden as “strong” for having survived unimaginable losses. However, I would argue he embodies bravery. He could have easily chosen to give in to despair. Instead, he holds onto hope. His candidacy for President reflects that hope for our nation. He possesses the capacity for empathy, an essential trait when navigating grief. His strength is rooted in a quiet integrity forged through reflection on his losses.
Whenever I observe Mr. Biden speak, I see those qualities in how he engages with others. His carefully considered plans for propelling this country forward in the wake of 2020 resonate with me. As a fellow griever, I see a man who has faced profound adversity and still maintains hope. Despite everything, he aspires to better our nation. This, to me, is the true definition of strength.
I’m not suggesting that Mr. Biden’s strength arises from his losses; rather, it shines through in spite of them. In his darkest moments, when he could have chosen to walk away, he didn’t. He exemplifies the resilience of the human spirit, proving that with hope, love, and support, anything is achievable. If he can find that strength for himself, I trust he can also help heal our country. As Elizabeth Warren once said, “Hope isn’t given to us; it is created by us.” That’s why I’ve chosen to support Joe Biden—I believe in that hope.
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- Coping with the loss of a child
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Summary:
This piece reflects on the profound impact of losing a child, intertwining personal grief with observations of Joe Biden’s resilience in the face of his own tragedies. It argues that true strength is found not in overcoming loss but in continuing to hope and strive for a better future despite it. The author expresses support for Biden, seeing in him a model of bravery and empathy that resonates with her personal journey.