Wednesday's Word

We can be grateful while ‘in’ all things, even if not ‘for’ all things©
​~Kim-Evinda

​She sat reflecting on the new year ahead which led her to think about the things in her life she wanted to do differently. One of them was to express gratitude to others and for others. Immediately she was reminded of a witness whose deposition she had taken recently.
 
Thanks for joining us for Wednesday’s Word with Kim-Evinda and Trench Classes United. 2025 is here and today’s blog is a great reminder that we don’t always have to be grateful FOR all things, but we can be thankful IN all things.

In her 35+ years of court reporting, there had been very few cases that made her stumble in her reporting from evoked compassion, but this particular deposition was one of those that did just that. It was an applicant in a workers’ compensation case, and in my 35+ years of reporting, I can count on two hands how many times I’ve been moved to compassionate disbelief, let alone be a proponent for the deponent. This was one of them. Without giving you too many details, let me just say that it brought this life-coaching truth to life.
 
While working he was involved in a horrendous auto accident that wasn’t his fault but happened as a result of the other driver’s negligence. The work truck flipped and because it was carrying two propane tanks caught fire…after him and his partner were out of it. One of the first things they did was take a picture of the truck in flames and call their boss; what they didn’t notice until moments after was the dead body of the other driver in the middle of the road.
 
As you can imagine, there are some horrendous emotional effects from this…and still his story didn’t end there. The questioning attorney went on to ask him if there were any other stressors in his life, to which he answered yes.  By this time, I was all ears, meaning I wasn’t in a hurry for the deposition to be over, as I usually am. I was in no way prepared for his next response.
His wife was recently diagnosed with lung cancer.
 
Despite being just a tiny square on a Zoom platform, I had to look away to wipe the tears from my eyes, while trying to write as he continued to explain this additional challenge.
 
The attorney was equally surprised and maneuvered through it with kindness as he headed toward the completion of the deposition, which included asking how the accident has affected his day-to-day life.
Again, I was in no way prepared for his answer – usually by this time, the applicant is exaggerating all symptoms and disabilities –“It’s helped me to live with more purpose. I could of died, but I didn’t. And as far as my wife, I do all that I can to spend more time with her, you know? I take her out on dates every week, go dancing, hiking. I hold her hand more, let her know how much I love her.”
 
As the deposition ended, I filled with a sense of awe and respect. No witness had ever surprised me or moved me as much as he did. His gratitude moved me from my current physical complaints to the things I am able to do. His attitude of gratitude revealed my own lack of gratitude while reminding me that while we don’t have to be grateful for the things we are going through, there is always something to be grateful for while in the challenges.
 
Love,
Kim-Evinda

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