This is my friend, Cheryl, and her two youngest kids. We went to school together. She is the single mother of 5 (youngest 3). She is beautiful, smart, talented and funny. She has been running aa day-care business in her home to generate income since her last divorce. She has no insurance. She was also recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer. The Dr told her it wasn’t anything she consumed or did to cause it – it just is. “He didn’t give even a 1% chance just said uncurable- he is a good dr. and has to say what he has to say and is a positive person and does hope for me to beat this.”
So here she is with this young family, facing the end of her life. Or is she?
This last week, Cheryl’s daughter (with the help of her brother and some other family) had a fundraiser dinner/auction called, “Help Save My Mom.” I stopped by to give a donation. I was hoping to see Cheryl. You see, even though we went to school together, I have not seen her for a long while. Facebook brought us together a while back, so I’ve been “in contact” with her that way. (Makes me grateful for Facebook!) So I wasn’t sure how she was feeling and if she’d be to the dinner or not. She’s had surgery and last week was prepped for her Chemo treatments which started today.
Fortunately for me, I chatted with my cousin long enough that Cheryl came walking it. Oh, how good it felt to hug her and tell her how much I loved her and admired her. She looked beautiful. Thin and perhaps a little weak, but amazing considering what her last 3 weeks have been like.
As we were chatting a lady came around the corner, saw her, and burst into tears. I wasn’t sure how to react. Should I have cried at seeing her? Is it better to smile and try to be “normal?” Gosh, I didn’t know what one was supposed to do and if my love for her seemed less because I wasn’t emotional.
But then an amazing thing happened. Cheryl kept visiting with the few of us there. She told us how she was trying to remain positive. She told us about her visit to the radiologist last week (she posted a bit about this on facebook, so I understood somewhat.) She said the radiologist was not nice and kept saying all kinds of stuff to her. For the first time since the diagnosis, she broke down in tears and felt discouraged and lacking hope. Then she said, “But THIS week when I went it for them to check lines and do their tests, I told the radiologist that I was trying to remain as positive as I possibly could and that I planned to beat this thing. So if they had any information, they could just put it in my bag and I would read it later, but not to say anything to her that wasn’t positive.”
Then she added, “It’s really sad that it’s taken something like this to help me find my voice.”
WOW! Amazing! I have pondered and pondered that comment since I left her. I have to agree with her. Isn’t it sad that we wait until we have to truly fight for our life that we stand up to those who try and drag us down, shatter our dreams, and crush our hearts? Why is it then, at that time when our life is in peril that we decide to fight back, stand up, and proclaim that we want light and truth in our life?
Why? Because we are facing the giant! We are looking him square in the eye and like the hero/heroine in any movie or story, we are determined to fight to the bitter end and we expect a victory!
Cheryl is my hero. She knows and believes in miracles. She truly knows that she CAN beat this. She said, “This is what I know: I know that my life is in the Lord’s hands now. He has the power to heal me. And if it is not for me to be healed now, I have peace knowing that He will take care of my family and all will be well with them. You remember that several years ago my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer and given a 6% chance to live. And look at him years later!” (He was actually in the gym where the dinner was set up taking money for the auction items and was laughing and joking with everyone!) This is why Cheryl believes. She has seen miracles. She has seen her own father beat the odds. She knows the Lord’s power.
I found it ironic that one of the items up for auction was a board that read something like this (wish I had written it down exactly):
“Everyone saw Goliath as a giant that no man could beat. David saw a bigger target that could be easily hit.”
Perspective makes all the difference in the world. So does attitude. I do know that as long as Cheryl listens to the “voice of truth,” she will slay every giant that she faces, and if not, she will have peace while in the battle.
I post one of my favorite songs in tribute to her. She is my hero. I love her. I believe in her. I believe in miracles! I pray for her daily. Ironically, we all thought we were going to the dinner to lift her spirits and support her, but in the end, it was she who lifted all of us with her smile and positive attitude. There just aren’t many people like that! I am privileged to know so many, especially to know Cheryl!
Always listen to the Voice of Truth! David had faith and courage when he stood before Goliath. My friend does, too! Giants fall easily, Cheryl! You just have to hit them right between the eyes! ;o)
Love you!
Denise
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcJEXRaXEXg&feature=related[/youtube]
