Last year at this time I was preparing for what I thought was my last chemo. Last Christmas I was grateful for life and my fresh start from beating cancer. Little did I know that my cancer would come back less than 3 months after I was told I was in remission. Then, not only did I have to fight cancer, again, but my brother in law had to fight cancer too. This year has been crazy...but I have learned how tough my family is and I am. This Christmas I am even more grateful for my life and every breath I get to take. Last year I could not imagine having more love for life in my heart, but I was wrong. This year my heart has grown more than I thought possible. I know it sounds so cliche but life is short. Cancer really made me see how short life can be.
I hope this Christmas is my last thinking about cancer in my family and that cancer will release its grip on other families. It is a shame that anyone has to face this disease. I have heard people say "oh you have an easy cancer." That has to be one of the dumbest statements. I know people mean well saying that, but no cancer is easy. The plague destroys lives and souls. No one should have cancer, no matter how "easy" it seems. I myself may look normal (with a wig on) but that does not mean I had it "easy."
In addition to my wish of having cancer annihilated this Christmas, I wish people would become more empathetic to people who are different from themselves. When I say sick or different I don't just mean cancer...I mean all sicknesses and differences, from flu to pink eye from physical disability to discrimination based on looks and even mental illness. I believe our culture has become so stuck on normalizing and categorizing everything that people have become less empathetic to fellow humans. Cancer has taught me that though someone can look "fine" their wounds are often deeper than we can see. I believe society needs empathy. We should be working to build each other up based on our differences and challenges than breaking each other down due to differences. We were all created equally and different for a reason. Life would be boring and we would learn nothing if we are all the same. Empathy is a beautiful thing because it helps us understand the world from more perspectives than just our own. I have heard empathy described as seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and loving with the heart of another. Sure, I want cancer and illness to end, but what good is the ending of physical pain when people are still suffering emotionally and spiritually?
My personal belief is that health is tied up in mind, body and soul. Without all three in tact, illness may occurs. I believe that so many people are spiritually ill that their body and mind become ill. I believe empathy could HELP with healing these illnesses of the mind and body. Empathy could make it easier for people to ask for help and not feel judged. Empathy would help reduce violence if each person thought about how their behavior would effect others. Empathy really is necessary in society but it seems to be lost to many...this Christmas I wish it would be found.
What can you do this Christmas to help me with my wish to end cancer, illness, and the lack of empathy in society?
Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays.
