Ca Va Bien

Conversationally, this is the French equivalent to mangi fii rekk, but as far as meaning goes, for me, it's more similar to jamm rekk.

When someone asks how you are, the answer is always, I'm well. Even if your cat just died, you have malaria, and there's a hurricane, you're still expected to say "ca va bien"

Horatio G Spafford was a Chicago lawyer, and wrote the hymn "It Is Well" He did not write it, however, in the wealth of his youth or in a time of success and ease. In 1870, his only son died of fever at the age of 4. Then the Chicago fire took all of his real estate holdings just a year later. In 2 more years, he arranged a trip for his family, but business kept him in Chicago. He sent his wife and daughters ahead and planned to meet them there. He was on his way when he found out their ship had collided with another and none of his daughters had survived; his wife was saved alone. It is said that upon hearing the news, he went to his cabin and penned the now classic hymn, It Is Well.

When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blessed assurance control: that Christ has regarded my helpless estate and hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin oh the bliss of this glorious thought, my sin not in part but the whole is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord O my soul.

For me be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live, if Jordan above me shall roll, no pang shall be mine for in death as in life, Thou wilt whisper They peace to my soul.

But Lord 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait. The sky not the grave is our goal. Oh trump of the angel, oh voice of the Lord, blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll. The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul.

The question for me has been, "Kate, as the people you most love and care about lose their joy, when sorrow consumes them and you hate to see them like that, when you hurt for them, when God lets you feel their pain and you know their torment, will you still say 'It Is Well'?"

Today I stood along the shore and looked at the water, stretching out for miles and miles and I sang this song quietly to myself. And I gave my response, "Yes, it is indeed well with my soul"

Ca va bien.