She is the Miracle

Ever since my sister-in-law has recovered from her burst, aneurysm people everywhere have been telling us what a "miracle" it is. She had people who prayed for her, starting prayer chains all over the country in her name. 

She also had nonreligious people pulling for her. These people started and ended their days by sending healthy and good thoughts her way. Meditation groups formed. Others held healing sessions. 

All in all, she had many friends and family members on her side.

Now that she has recovered, both sides want to invoke the "miracle" label. The religious groups tell the nonbelievers that "miracles do happen" and that God has granted Julie this miracle. The nonreligious groups say the "miracle" is in science and in the team of doctors who worked on Julie.

Webster's dictionary defines a miracle in two ways:

• an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs

• an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment

In essence, both sides are correct in their beliefs, according to Webster. 

For me, listening to both parties talk about the "miracle" is how in their hurry to educate each other, and in their insistence on being right, everyone forgets the real "miracle" is Julie herself.