Saturday, January 26, 2008

surprise

I am going to a party tonight for our dear,sweet neighbor. It is a surprise birthday party! He is 38 years old. Tonight, we are celebrating more than just another ordinary year. We are celebrating a spectacular year. You see, he has survived what the doctors decided was an inoperable brain tumor. He has been through many rounds of chemo and radiation. The cells have stopped growing and the tumor has actually shrunk in size.
And so, we celebrate this spectacular year!

As I walked with his wife this morning, we talked about the power of positive thought and prayer. She firmly believes that his health and healing are a direct result of prayer and positive thoughts.

Recently another friend, a few blocks away, was given a new diagnosis. She also has a brain tumor. She is just beginning her journey on the path to renewed health. She and her husband will go to Mayo on Monday for a new round of tests and pictures. She has said that she will "not give the thing inside her head the power to take her life." She has 2 small children and a lovely husband.

And yet another neighbor is finishing up her last round of chemo. She is a breast cancer survivor. She also is young and has a family. She is also strong and positive and has a courageous faith.

Is the power of prayer and positive thought enough? How does anyone look at such a diagnosis without being frozen by fear? How does my friend go on with her day without falling into a heap of tears on the kitchen floor?

I obviously don't have any answers, just lots of questions. And prayers.
If you have the space in your heart to include these people, I am inclined to believe that prayer and positive thoughts are a powerful healing tool.

6 comments:

flutter said...

absolutely will do.

Minnesota Matron said...

We all have a slim grip on life. I'll be sending that good energy and always asking myself what Mary Oliver asks: "What will you do with your wild and precious life?"

Patti said...

i prayed before getting to your request...and will offer them up again.

Sew Succulent said...

I have a dear friend whose brother has a brain tumor. Ironically, her best friend survived the same type of tumor many years ago. prayers, prayers...

Nonna said...

Interesting how our lives parallel each others sometimes, AB! Only this time I hope your experiences with your friends are better than ours. Our friends' 20 year old daughter passed away on Friday of colon cancer. Yes, 20! It's been a very sad 18 month battle and I've been deeply affected by her and her blog writings. I'll keep your friends in my thoughts and prayers!

. . . said...

oh, oh, oh. this is a dear post.