[book] Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope

Rating : ★★★★
Category : Religion & Spirituality
Author : Don and Susie VanRyn, and Newell, Colle

Buku ini berkisah tentang 2 orang yang tertukar identitasnya.
Keluarga Cerak yang menyangka putrinya (Whitney) meninggal, ternyata 5 minggu kemudian ketahuan bahwa putrinya masih hidup.
Sementara keluarga Van Ryn yang merawat seseorang selama 5 minggu karena disangka dia adalah putrinya, ternyata diketemukan bahwa putrinya (Laura) sendiri telah meninggal.
Semua ini terjadi karena ada kesalahan pengenalan identitas oleh polisi dll. Would it destroy a family? Shatter their faith? Push two families into bitterness, resentment, and guilt?

Setelah tahu, ada kejadian mistaken identity ini; malah seorang pengacara menelepon keluarga Van Ryn dan menawarkan untuk menuntut ke pengadilan atas kasus ini. Van Ryn hanya bilang: ‘I hope you find something better to do with your day,’

Bagaimana pengalaman kedua keluarga ini menghadapi unthinkable tragedy & unbearable mistake, berikut petikan wawancaranya di Oprah:

Both the Van Ryn and Cerak families say their faith in God was integral to getting through this ordeal. “I know there are other people that have asked, ‘How come you’re not upset? How come you’re not bitter?'” Newell says. “I know it’s because of the forgiveness that we have experienced through our relationship and our faith.”

Don says his family was not interested in filing a lawsuit then or now. “I just didn’t see what that would gain for us. Over the years, I’ve learned that forgiveness and love is healthier than bitterness and vengeance,” he says. “One of my favorite verses in the Bible says, ‘What has the Lord required of you? To act justly. To love mercy. And to walk humbly with your God.’ That one phrase—’to love mercy’—you don’t see a lot of that today.”