You never know

We had our quilt guild meeting last night. A lady that I hold in high esteem was in attendance. She is quite elderly, sharp, funny compassionate, straight forward, and a strong Christian. She had a son in law who died of testicular cancer, so she is keen on asking me how my son is doing. When she gave me a hug out in the store and asked me I was able to tell her he is in remission, but that he was sentenced today to 5 years in prison. She said "Honey, we had someone in our family that happened to and although it was terrible at the time, he has turned out to be such a better man now. Don't give up." I felt much better hearing that coming from her. I know she meant it from the bottom of her heart and that even if it hadn't worked out well for her family member she would have told me so. AND she would have understood what we are going through. She said her mother used to say that there is no point in making someone feel worse about something that is making them feel terrible already. Her mother must have been something to behold too. I don't know how I will ever get my thanks across to her. She told me to write to him every week and it didn't matter if you said the same thing over and over, just get a letter to him to keep him informed and to let him know you still care. Encourage him to see the doctor and the psychiatrist and get on the right set of medicines so that he can think clearly and make something of himself while he has the time. She said to try to get others to write to him too, but that could be a more difficult thing to accomplish.