Monday, November 15, 2010
Thoughts on Cancer
This morning I found out that a friend of mine from church had passed away. She died after battling cancer for several years. She never gave up, and she kept trying new things, hoping that her situation would change. She had an incredibly positive attitude and was always a fighter. Cancer is such an awful thing. It seems like we hear every day of someone else who has some type of cancer. I think for all of us hearing the words,"They have cancer," is just so devastating. It too often sounds like a death sentence. But there are many cancer survivors and people who have been able to overcome it. We need to take hope from that. There are also many ways that cancer helps us to purge from our lives those things that really aren't important--things we think we HAVE to do, or goals that we feel we have to meet. Still, life goes on, and it is hard to watch people we love suffer, and it is hard to feel helpless when it comes to doing something for them. So cancer (or any other hard challenge we face) can help us care more about those around us, and help us become more spiritually in tune so we can really focus on our relationship with our Father in Heaven, and feel His love. It can help us just enjoy each day a little more, because each day is a gift. So, thank you to all of you who share this journey with me and with others who are suffering for various reasons--you help me laugh and enjoy life...even when it seems so uncertain. I love you, and thank my Heavenly Father for every one of you. :)
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Wow Louise.. what a lovely post. Yes, I think that horrible diseases do clarify things--for the people who have the illness AND for the people who love them. Many many years ago I had a very very close friend in New York who died of AIDs--when he told me he was dying, he said that he wasn't afraid at all but his life-and what was important- had suddenly become crystal clear. But I think there are blessings in all challenges and I do hope that you have understood how incredibly deeply loved you are and how you touch SO MANY. We love you. You are a beacon to us all. Love, Sue
ReplyDeleteI love reading your posts....there are days when I'm stressed with finances, work, trying not to strangle my two active boys ;) and then I see your blog and it just reminds me that I really need to focus on the important things and make sure I have those at the top of my priority list. My sister-in-law died from breast cancer about 4 years ago, and one of my good friends from Hawaii is a Hodgkin Lymphoma survivor. Both women were exemplary in the way they lived their life, and I think the same of you! You are truly amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for putting things in perspective. Challenging situations have a way of doing that for us even though we never wish them on anyone. But everyone seems to have them! Heavenly Father certainly knows us and lets us choose our attitudes. You have chosen well.
ReplyDeleteLove, Becky
This was one of the things I admired most about Shelby during her battle - her positive attitude and her ability to make the rest of us see our problems with a little more clarity. I love you Louise. Thanks for your wisdom.
ReplyDeleteI want to be you and have your upbeat heart! I would not wish your situation on anyone I love, but Heavenly Father knows you can handle it and it will help all of us around you grow. I am sorry you lost your friend. We have to learn to take the bad with the good, I guess.
ReplyDeleteLouise,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your insight! We never know what life has in store for us. I think cancer will touch all of us in one way or another. I am thankful for your amazing example and courage as you face your battle.
Much love,
Annie
Hi Louise,
ReplyDeleteI have been in California for my father's funeral and wondered how you were doing. I am so sorry to hear you have been under the weather and tired. You are such a wonderful, brave person and I love you. I return home tonight. I will give you a call, I would love to chat and maybe get together, if you are up for that.
Eileen