There is so much more to life than cancer.
Yes, it affects pretty much every moment, waking and sleeping, but one you get past the pain and the fatigue and the runs and the puking and the voice that is now stilled, you find that you're yet in a glorious state of grace, in which there is just so much to still appreciate!
It's tempting to do an organ recital, to garner sympathy - and we all need sympathy, this is no bad thing - but when you look past the hurt and the dread and the Why, God? you can find some pretty powerful reasons for gratitude.
Gratitude to still be alive.
Gratitude to be able to care.
Gratitude to have yet a capacity for wonder and delight.
Yes, it affects pretty much every moment, waking and sleeping, but one you get past the pain and the fatigue and the runs and the puking and the voice that is now stilled, you find that you're yet in a glorious state of grace, in which there is just so much to still appreciate!
It's tempting to do an organ recital, to garner sympathy - and we all need sympathy, this is no bad thing - but when you look past the hurt and the dread and the Why, God? you can find some pretty powerful reasons for gratitude.
Gratitude to still be alive.
Gratitude to be able to care.
Gratitude to have yet a capacity for wonder and delight.
Ask not of the myriad drugs
that I depend upon;
ask instead of doggy hugs,
and ask me of the dawn.
Don't bring up my failing voice;
more interest abounds
in yon sparrow's nesting choice
and in evening's cricket-sounds,
Please don't ask if my affairs
have been settled yet;
look rather to the upper airs
and the ghost-trail of a midnight jet.
Let us seek a four-leaf clover,
for though it's bad, life is not over.
Music from John Fogerty, with Almost Saturday Night. Note, please, the Border Collie between John's feet, and know who is the boss.
Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.
Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.
Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.
Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.
I so, so love this.
ReplyDeleteJane, thank you so much (and please excuse my late reply!).
DeleteWhile I've been dealing with depression (again), making a list of gratitudes each day has helped restore balance in my thinking. Today it's included: taking breaks at work, classical music on Scala Radio (esp Alexis French's The Last Post), all the bulbs breaking through the soil in my garden, 3 squirrels playing Follow My Leader in the tree canopy.
ReplyDeleteIt's not to deny our illness but it is good to look beyond and remember a bigger picture.
God bless
Liz, I'm praying for you, and so glad for the helpful beauties you have found in life.
DeleteA suggestion for music Gottschalk's "A Night In The Tropics"; the last movement is a toe-tapping delight. (And please pardon my tardy response.)
Poignant post. I have a dear friend who has a new cancer diagnosis of stage four stomach cancer with no recommended plan of treatment. I feel for her, and for her family. She has two young children, and a spouse that is hurting too. Prayers for them. The cancer journey just sucks. I hate that word, but it fits the diagnosis. I pray you continue to find gratitude in each of your days. You are brave. You are a bright light.
ReplyDeleteOh, Jennifer! Praying for your friend (and PLEASE pardon my delay in replying).
DeleteThis trip does suck; I don't like the word either, but it's really the right one.
And thank you so much for the lovely affirmation.
Wow. Just... wow!
ReplyDeletePowerful post.
(((((Andrew)))))
Annie in Texas
((((((Annie!))))))
DeleteThank you so much!!!!!
Beautiful poem, Brother Andrew. May God continue to uphold you and bring you relief.
ReplyDeleteAnita, thank you so much!
DeleteMight you find some relief in all the lovely of your poem.
ReplyDeleteSusan, thank you so much! XOXOXO
DeleteI'm always amazed by how you manage to find joy even in the midst of pain. Your words encourage me!
ReplyDeleteLesley, I am so honoured!
DeletePraise God that no matter what, we still have the capacity for praise and delight!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this, Fiona.
Deleteand gratitude that you can extend care to others, even in the midst of things. Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteThank YOU, Annette!
DeleteCount our blessings! It’s such a gift. Thankful for you friend!
ReplyDeleteYou're one of the blessings in my life, Tara.
DeleteFinding beautiful in the ugliness. I am looking too. You are such an inspiration. In Heaven we won't have to seek. Our eyes will behold all things beautiful. Now is the privilege to play hide and seek with God. Praying always.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you said this, Mary. Thank you so much!
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear that you've lost your voice, Andrew! But I do feel as if you've still got your voice here and we all hear it loud and clear, my friend! Praying that in between these horrific moments, you find God's grace wrapping you in love and comfort!
ReplyDeleteBeth, thank you from the bottom of my heart for these lovely, affirming words!
DeleteAnd thank you so very much, for your prayers.
Beautifully poignant... I love the idea of the "ask insteads"... I am one of those truly well meaning people who get it wrong, because I am also practical minded, and I love this perspective... So, how are those dog hugs? Making every moment a little bit brighter? Dogs are amazing!
ReplyDeleteMisty, the dog hugs make it all worthwhile. An they come in so many diferent ways, according to personality!
DeleteRoscoe is a game-playing little boy, who wants to wrestle, while Belle's job is to offer soft comfort. (Roscoe is a little Pit, and Belle is a Shepherd-Husky mix.)