Endearment and Cancer
I captured a very endearing moment between two cancer patients at mass this morning. Her name is Carmi. She is Mom’s friend from church. Mom asked her how her chemotherapy was because she heard that she was able to go to mass right the next day. Perhaps in her quiet anxiety, Mom wanted to know if she would be able to kneel before her Lord and feel His embrace. Carmi’s reply was straightforward and gentle “Oh I had to make myself strong. It still weakens you. But you, you have to be strong. I take soya every morning for protein.” Mom looked at me and said, “She has breast cancer.” I smiled and nodded unable to say anything. Carmi continued, “I think I have all kinds of cancer already. They still found 2 nodules in my lungs. So I live by the day.” She says this very carefully. Meaningfully. Enunciating every word as if to make sure that we heard it come from her heart. I live by the day. You can’t any more raw than that. Her eyes had a shine to them that spoke of peace and