“Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.” – Henry Van Dyke
It’s so flattering and touching when some of our group members send private messages and share their thoughts and problems. The level of sharing has evolved into something that I didn’t really expect. They are so open about their concerns especially in matters of the heart. Everyone calls me “Mommy” and I have adopted them as my kids. It’s nice to be needed, it’s nice to feel that you touch people in your own little way.
Somehow, we tend to take things for granted. We measure success by the number of friends we have, by the amount of money saved in the bank, by the size of our house and the number of cars in our garage. We measure time by the passing of days and months, the things we have accomplished in life. But do we even stop to think that every minute that passes should be treasured? And when you have a healthy life, you are ten times successful. Time does not stand still, no matter what we do, no matter where we are. Most people regard time as their enemy because they are hindered by it. We keep running out of time and sometimes, twenty-four hours would not be enough for a day.
When you have experienced something as life-changing as cancer, all those precious minutes really count. You think of the days as too long for you to get well. You think of the minutes as too unnerving while your body is attached to those tubes that shout, chemotherapy. It’s when you realize that life is precious and could be taken anytime from you that you would learn to value everything that comes into it. Being a cancer survivor taught me so many, many things. Valuing one’s health is one, treasuring each moment that passes is another. And I feel so blessed that God gave me a second chance at life to appreciate everything now. Oh yes, there are moments when I get too emotional crying over a good book, a lovely song or even a simple greeting from a friend. I get too emotional reading some comments in my blogs. A friend once asked me why I am so open about my illness. I have another friend who kept on denying when she was stricken with cancer and it was a long and lonely road for her without someone to talk to except her family and a handful of friends. Why would you deny something that would allow other people to learn from you? Why would you keep something to yourself when you can share your journey with fellow travelers on the same road like you?
Until now, although I haven’t attempted joining any support group for colon cancer, I am blessed with a supportive family and caring friends who are always there when I need them. And my illness lead me closer to Him, giving me a chance to do an online apostolate to help other people.
A smile would come a long way, but a simple hello would lighten the day.
Dreams And Escapes 