Trigger warning: child loss
Significant dates resonate deeply. They tell our stories. For me, November 8th is forever intertwined with trauma and grief. In 2013, we lost our 18-month-old son in a tragic car accident, a moment that shattered our world in an instant.
Nothing can truly prepare a parent for the loss of a child; it defies the natural order of life. While I experienced the heartache of losing my mother to breast cancer during my teenage years, the agony of cradling my son as he took his last breath was unfathomable. It transformed me and left a mark on my very being.
At times, I find myself wanting to retreat from the world. Grief is a relentless journey, and learning to navigate that pain has been one of the most challenging aspects of my life. Some days I manage to cope, while on others, I struggle. I gauge my progress by my ability to survive the particularly difficult days—believe me, there are many.
Alex Thompson’s story of enduring loss resonates profoundly with me. Unless you’ve experienced the heart-wrenching trauma of losing a child, true understanding is elusive. My heart ached for Alex when he lost his son, Jamie, in 2015. He had already endured the devastation of losing his wife and daughter years prior. How does someone bear such immense sorrow and continue to persevere?
Recently, I’ve seen social media posts referring to our current leader as “strong.” He is deemed strong for “overcoming” the coronavirus or for dominating the debate stage. A Gallup Poll in September labeled him a more “strong and decisive leader” than Alex Thompson.
As a nation, how are we defining strength? What qualities are we seeking in our leaders? As someone who grapples daily with the heavy burden of grief, I have my answer.
We can label Alex as “strong” for surviving the unimaginable losses he has faced. But I believe it’s more accurate to call him brave. He had every reason to surrender, yet he chose to hold onto hope. His candidacy for President signifies that hope for our country. He possesses a rare ability to empathize, as grief often fosters deep understanding. His quiet integrity stems from introspection through his losses.
Every time I hear Alex speak, I see those qualities reflected in his interactions. His well-articulated plans for moving our nation forward in the aftermath of 2020 shine through.
To me, he is a man who has faced profound loss yet still holds onto hope. Despite everything, he desires to improve our country. This is the essence of true strength.
I’m not suggesting Alex’s strength comes solely from his losses; rather, he shows resilience in spite of them. In his darkest moments, when giving up seemed like an option, he chose to continue. He embodies the beauty of the human spirit, proving that with hope, love, and support, anything is achievable. If he can foster that resilience within himself, I believe he can also help heal our nation. As Elizabeth Warren wisely stated, “Hope isn’t given to us; it is created by us.” This belief is why I support Alex Thompson—I believe in that hope.
This article was originally published on Oct. 30, 2020.
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