Sunday, September 23, 2007
Cancer and the Cheerleader
She was a classmate of mine. She was very popular and the mayor's daughter. Her name was Janice. She was a cheerleader and full of life, at least in 1967 when were 18 years old. She didn't make our 40 year class reunion, but I didn't either. She didn’t attend because she was very ill.
It is hard to believe that someone so pretty and talented and full of energy could stop living but it is so. Her friend and fellow cheerleader Alice shared the news. How tragic. Not just because she was 58 or was a cheerleader but just because no one should die so young. Some people would say that 58 isn’t so young, but when you are 58 also, it seems young.
Perhaps they needed a little cheering up in Heaven. I can still see her in her maroon outfit leading the cheers for the Bears. The Willow Springs Bears that is. I extend my sympathies to all her friends and family.
It is hard to believe that someone so pretty and talented and full of energy could stop living but it is so. Her friend and fellow cheerleader Alice shared the news. How tragic. Not just because she was 58 or was a cheerleader but just because no one should die so young. Some people would say that 58 isn’t so young, but when you are 58 also, it seems young.
Perhaps they needed a little cheering up in Heaven. I can still see her in her maroon outfit leading the cheers for the Bears. The Willow Springs Bears that is. I extend my sympathies to all her friends and family.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Cancer
No, not the Tropic of Cancer, but the malignancy. It is safe to say that at some point in our lives, we will be touched by cancer. It may be us, our friends, or our loved ones.
I have a friend who has been battling liver cancer since March of 2004. Recently he learned it had spread to his brain. Before that it was in his esophagus and one lung. He was washing curtains the other day when I talked to him. His focus is on life rather than death.
My brother recently called and said he had to have some tests and that the doctor had told him he had colon cancer. His minister told him the doctor would not find anything. I called him a few hours after I thought his tests would be over and was bracing myself for the worst. His minister was correct. He was on his way home. No cancer was found.
I wonder what it takes to focus on life rather than death. I wonder why more ministers are wrong than doctors. Why? Not the biological why, but why cancer wins and some people lose? Why are some healed and others are not? Why are some tests negative and some positive? Why?
I have a friend who has been battling liver cancer since March of 2004. Recently he learned it had spread to his brain. Before that it was in his esophagus and one lung. He was washing curtains the other day when I talked to him. His focus is on life rather than death.
My brother recently called and said he had to have some tests and that the doctor had told him he had colon cancer. His minister told him the doctor would not find anything. I called him a few hours after I thought his tests would be over and was bracing myself for the worst. His minister was correct. He was on his way home. No cancer was found.
I wonder what it takes to focus on life rather than death. I wonder why more ministers are wrong than doctors. Why? Not the biological why, but why cancer wins and some people lose? Why are some healed and others are not? Why are some tests negative and some positive? Why?
