Can't do......Does.....Can do

What Cancer Can’t Do

Cancer is so limited.  It cannot cripple love.  It cannot shatter hope.  It cannot corrode faith.  It cannot eat away peace.  It cannot destroy confidence.  It cannot kill friendship.  It cannot shut out memories.  It cannot silence courage.  It cannot invade the soul.  It cannot reduce eternal life.  It cannot quench the spirit.  It cannot lesson the power of the resurrection.  Amen—amen.

Bernice Chambers, 1987 Breast Cancer

Between last summer and this, some friend left this poem at our door. It is a statement of hope; it is a comment of power. Those of us who walk with the Lord know, yes we do, that life here is temporary, even for the healthy.

Because what cancer DOES, here, is take from our midst those whom we love. Even as we believe that this parting is temporary, it cuts to the heart when we must let go of hands.

Soon-to-be Bride and Mother. of the Bride

This picture was taken last July, as my niece Britt and her mom, Janelle, were on their way to a bridal shower. Within weeks, Britt would wed her Kenneth. Within days of that happiness, Janelle and Ken (my brother) would hear the unwanted news:

Janelle had a tumor, glioblastoma multiform, a most aggressive brain tumor. Her prognosis was bleak. They prayed and then sought treatment. We all had some wonderful times with Janelle. She passed on May 10.  She was 53.

Here we are, moving to get back into the flow of life. It will be slower for some of us. Besides a lot of loving friends and family, Janelle left her entries in her blog which, by the way, she began the week that Mike received his diagnosis.

Her blog gained an international audience: she wrote about her craft projects and her job, her family and her life. And her faith in God.

After diagnosis, the connection she had formed with her readers led her to chronicle her adventure through this disease, through her treatment, and her walk with her Lord. She called out to Him, quoting scripture, to heal her if that was His will. She announced that, because of her love and trust, she was ready to accept whatever He chose for her.

Then, there came the time when she could no longer write. Her husband, who had never blogged in his life, stood in for her. Now, as she is no longer directing the blog here, he plans to continue, much to the happiness of her readers.

If you could use a blessing, let me suggest that you visit www.showandtellblog.typepad.com
Remember, it began in April 2009 and, with Ken's efforts, will continue on.

What cancer CAN do is remind us of what is important.....and what is unimportant....in this life. Cherish your family and friends. Walk with God. Try to shine a little of His light on those around you. Janelle lived like this, as natural to her as breathing. You will see that as you read her blog.