Simply Thankful

            Earlier this week, my niece in South Dakota queried whether a linear accelerator is anything like the flux capacitor of “Back to the Future” fame.  I certainly appreciated her comment and told her that I was planning some time travel experiments this week.

            I am discovering that my experiences here at the Hope Lodge, at the Winship Cancer Institute and in all that is this process I’m going through are time traveling of a sort.

            For one, experiencing cancer makes one pause, to put your life on hold.  The rest of life is not forgotten, but fades to a place of lesser importance.  The rest of life is there and it is the earnest hope of all those who face cancer (or, any other life-threatening situation) that there will come a day of returning to normality. 

            Secondly, during the pause, one simply must consider what’s really important.  Muggy and I made a decision two years ago during her medical crisis that when the time came for me to be done working, I would be done working.  I simply and determinedly do not ever want to come to a point in my life when I look back and regret that I did not take time to do the important things.  And of course, one must take pause and determine what is really important.

            Third, although the residents here at the Hope Lodge are plugged in to the outside world via internet, newspapers, social media and television, the more important information gathering we do is listening to each other.  We’re not isolated from the rest of the world, but we’ve been given a chance to develop a deeper understanding of words like hope, compassion and caring.

Wednesday evenings are graduation night here at the lodge.  Anyone who has completed or will shortly complete their treatments is recognized and presented with a certificate.  Each person is given a chance to say a few words.  These moments of sharing are powerful!  There are many tears and many, many references to God’s grace as the folks move through this experience.  I’m including a couple of pictures.  One shows the group of graduates from last night.  Each and every one is oh, so special in their own way.  Leaving the lodge is truly a bittersweet departure point.  The friendships and support one gains from being here are very special in a very unique way.  We all want to take our life off pause and return to the life we knew before.  At the same time, the relationships formed here are powerful, and the memories will last a lifetime.

I certainly hope Steve doesn’t mind that I used his picture.  I share it here because to me it epitomizes the power of the feelings that pervade this place.  He was moved to tears and could barely speak. 

I know that many are praying for me and I sincerely thank you for all the prayers and good thoughts.  I do ask that you continue as I know it makes a huge difference.  I’m coming to the end of week three and from talking with others in a similar situation as I am, the next few weeks may be very difficult.  The mouth irritation and pain is blossoming.  It takes a while in the morning to achieve a level of comfort that is tolerable.  But, I know too that there are others who’s situation is far worse than mine and I am reminded to lift up my prayers for them.

Have a wonderful and blessed day wherever you are!!  Thank you for reading and thanks for your support!av