The Choice: Embrace the Possible

A catatonic Army captain enters Edie’s clinical office, stiff but deeply anguished. Though she does not know at the time that the captain has a gun hidden under his shirt, Edie can sense the potential danger. Edie takes care to control her own anxiety, hoping for the best possible outcome: that the interaction will not turn violent. Rather than jumping directly into vulnerable topics, Edie orders the captain to walk through the park, and he dutifully obeys. Edie emphasizes the importance of choice: how we react to past experiences and trauma, and how we decide to move forward. Embracing the past is key to freedom. Edie clarifies the difference between victimization and victimhood: The former is external and outside the recipient’s control, while the latter is what we make ourselves when we cling to victimization. Edie argues that “there is no hierarchy of suffering” (8); rather, suffering is universal, and it affects each person in different circumstances. For example, a woman who lost a child and a woman whose family life feels lonely both cope with life’s not living up to their hopes. Eger recognizes life’s real difficulties, but she invites readers to choose freedom over past hurt.