My first real experience with Cancer was in University... my friend Sarah and I had EVERY class together that 1st semester of Music Education. We practiced piano together, we walked and studied in every hallway of that U of R campus... then her knee began giving her problems... she was an athlete but told she couldn't play and had to use crutches to prevent breaking. So... that meant, I carried 2 backpacks, 2 cellos (we were in String Technique class) to every class... we got a lot of stares as I had a backpack on my front, one on my back, and 2 big instruments... barging our way through the halls... near the end of Semester 1... Sarah was hospitalized... CANCER... the same as Terry Fox... devastating... She ended up in Calgary and I remember visiting her there... we had good visits... she was always so positive and optamistic... Glen visited her too as he was living in Calgary at the time. I remember her being close to death, and Glen just said, "Maybe one day, we'll have our own little Sarah..." I knew he was the one for me!! :) That was in 1998... now... in 2012, Sarah is HEALTHY... cancer free... about to have her knee replaced again as the prosthesis is wearing out. She's the mother of 2 beautiful children. We had the privilege of attending the wedding tea in Waskisiu a few years back. REMISSION... there was HOPE.
Gpa T was diagnosed with bowel cancer... it hit us hard... it was Gpa after all. However, at 89 years old, we can't expect to live forever. Well, maybe we did think he'd live a lot longer seeing as how his mother lived to 103. We felt robbed of time. Cancer... a robber.
Now... just a few short years later, our dear Auntie Jan. A giver, a lover, a servant... the epitome of a Godly home. Esophogus... liver... bones... lungs... spleen...
I don't even know what to say. Just retired... moving to Edmonton to be closer to their kids and grandkids... CANCER... a robber. Having seen her everyday for the past 3 days, and seeing her sink lower and lower... weaker and weaker... hopelessness. The human in us doesn't want to let go... there's still so much to live for.
It's true... we do have SO much to live for here on earth. Establishing a heritage of joy... showing forth Christ to all, eluding sweet influences to all... blessings in abundance. BUT... we have so much more to DIE for. Eternal life... eternal joy... how could we hold back. As the body ebbs away, I'm thankful that auntie's spirit is one of contentment... of peace... simple thank you's and I love you's. Simply... goodbye.
So Auntie... thank you for being mom #2 for me... for decorating that special lil room in the basement where I lived for 2 years... for your advice... for your care... your Godly home... a safe haven for me leaving home at 18 years old. THANK YOU. I love you...and I'm going to miss you. My kids are going to miss their NANA.
CANCER... you are evil... you are a robber...
HOPE... the opposite of cancer... Thankful for a living hope that lasts beyond this lifetime!
LIFE.... the opposite of cancer.... Life, life... eternal life...
Jan loves the 276 Hymn...Precious thought my Father knoweth... Though my earthly hopes be shattered, and the teardrops fall, yet He is my solace...
2 comments:
After I wipe away my tears...I just wanted to leave you a little note to say that we have been thinking about you and to send BIG HUGS your way. Your Auntie Jan is a pretty special person! I was thinking the other day about your little room in their basement!!
Thank you for sharing a piece of your heart. Special people and special moments are not forgotten. Love to you and your family.
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