Every thing is subject to change, except for the presence of God. . .
One of my best friends was just diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts. I met her yesterday for lunch and we hugged each other really tight. I am sad. I am scared for her. But I am sure that her Higher Power is holding her hand at this very moment. And I am holding her in my heart. I ask that all of you do the same please. Her name is Kaye. She has been one of my companions on this road of recovery for 35 years.
We are aging, you and I. And with the advancing years, health challenges occur. I understand this but when it hits close to home, I rebel and I doubt the necessity of the inevitable. My own mother had breast cancer and lost both breasts. She lived nine more years following surgery and died at 89 of an unrelated, though undiagnosed illness. Cancer doesn’t have to kill us. But it generally scares us any way.
The one constant for all of us is that we have the God of our understanding as our companion. He/she never leaves our side. We don’t even have to acknowledge the presence for it to remain. That’s the real gift of believing. We can do it poorly, sporadically, or not at all but the presence remains.
It’s comforting to know that in this world of rapid change, there is one constant. Coming to believe in this has helped me myriad times in my past. We all experience uncertainty about relationships, our work, family members, or the many world situations that seem beyond the control of any one; and yet, there is that one constant that will remain forever more.
How does your reliance on that one constant embolden you? Is it giving you peace of mind? I realized that with this news from Kaye my world was shaken a bit. My peace of mind wavered. Perhaps it’s because I lost my friend, Joy, to pancreatic cancer in February. I’m not ready to face this situation with another friend who is so dear to me.
God is in the details of her life. And mine too. This is what I must remember. This is what each one of us must remember when in the midst of any experience. Most of what we face on a daily basis is less dire than what Kaye is facing today, but the presence each one of us has at our fingertips is waiting for its “invitation” to be of assistance. Seek it now.
mark
Thank you Karen, I really needed that tonight. It saddens me how quickly I can forget at the time I need it most. I missed you all the other night. My love to you and yours,Mark.
karencasey
markAnd we missed you Mark. Hope to see you this coming Monday.
Peace,
Karen
Samadhi
Hello Karen. Thank you so much for your work. Thank you.
Your friend Kaye will be in my prayers.
karencasey
SamadhiThank you so much. She is a dear friend. Blessings on you.
Karen
Marin
Hi Karen…I’m so sorry for your friend, Kaye, and for you too. A cancer diagnosis is always terrifying for the one receiving it and it is awful for friends too because they feel so powerless to impact the course of events. You’re so right to choose to recognize that the presence of God is the one constant that you can both rely upon. And I’m thinking that God is impacting Kaye through you and your support and love as she navigates her cancer journey. So hang in there. As a breast cancer survivor who continues to be active in the community of other survivors, I can tell you that most of us not only successfully complete our treatments, but we thrive for years beyond!
karencasey
MarinThank you so much for your words of encouragement. I will share them with Kaye too. I am delighted to hear that you are a survivor. It gives me hope and will her too.
blessings on you dear reader.
Karen