hope – Page 5 – polepole ~ breathe

Feeling grateful, again, still, always. Yesterday was a purely nice day. It was the day of the annual Save Your Breath 5K to benefit the work of (Free ME from Lung cancer) , an organization that more Mainers need to learn about.

On the first Sunday in November, runners gather at the Y in Augusta at 7:00 AM (only it feels like 8:00 due to time change). Many there are running because they love running this late season race, many others because they love someone with lung cancer, have lost someone to lung cancer, or have lung cancer themselves, and some run for both the love of running and the cause. This latter describes my grandchildren and their mom, my daughter by marriage and heart. They love to run and they got up at 5:00 a.m. to travel to the race in my honor, to support Free ME from Lung cancer. And running with my grandchildren was their great-aunt, my sister. On the sidelines with me were Dan, my son and my brother-in-law. It was so wonderful to watch Team polepolebreathe.org in their tie-dye T-shirts (over or under their warmer gear) running or watching on this crisp, clear November day, supporting the lung cancer community. Just perfect.

After the race we went to breakfast at Mulholland’s Augusta House of Pancakes. It’s a great restaurant, we love that you can walk in with a large group (last year I think we had nine) and they will happily accommodate you. A couple of interesting things happened there. First, a governor candidate stopped by our table, noticing the “matching” Ts and asked my granddaughter what we were up to. Ten year old C. did an impressive job of explaining. The candidate seemed to have no awareness of the event, despite the promoting Free ME from Lung cancer does in that region of the state (and has for the six years of the race.) If that candidate wins, they will get a letter from me while we are still “fresh” in their mind.

And then came an opportunity, for the children and for the grown-ups as well, to understand better why we participate, why I post. It happened as we were leaving. Our waitress must have asked my son (walking out just in front of me) if we had a family member with lung cancer. He replied his mom. With eyes filled with tears, she shared that she’d just lost her mom. He quickly said, “My mom’s right here.” By then, while I hadn’t heard the words she’d said, I knew she’d been deeply hurt by this cancer monster that took my dad and has so changed my life. I stepped up, and she asked if it was me who had lung cancer. Nodding, I said, “You look like you need a hug,” and reached out to her. Here, in the middle of the restaurant, two strangers sharing this bond, her grief, my hope, our compassion. In that hug I could feel the love for her mother. She asked about my health, so grateful that I’m doing well. And even though she doesn’t know my name I know I’m on her prayer list, and she on mine. An opportunity to understand.

The cancer journey – when you’re stage IV I think “journey” describes a healthy, forward-looking approach – is filled with wonderful opportunities. Sometimes you need to seek them out and sometimes they find you. Be open to them.

Lung cancer awareness can save lives. Test your home for radon. Know the symptoms. Don’t ignore that persistent cough-cough.

Finding joy in the everyday every day.

44038362_1926012567514503_7130733789784834048_n

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead. Well, I’m not sure that it is the only thing, but I believe the first statement.

We all have our burning issues or passions that we feel are the most important at any given moment in time. For me it could be staying alive (that’s going pretty well!) or Lung Cancer Awareness month and raising fund for ROS1 research. Always I think about family, children, education, nature.

But right now, I can’t think about any of those things. In case you haven’t noticed, our country is in crisis. No material gains or political beliefs can be worth what we’ve allowed to happen. We cannot let hatred, fear, and greed take over. We each elect officials for varied reasons, but I cannot believe that as a country this is what we want. Hate, fear, divisiveness, violence being spread, promoted, led by the President of the United States of America. The most respected leadership position in our country. No concern for the people or the land, here or anywhere. (I’ve plenty of evidence to support this statement, but I won’t do that to you.)

Where is the courage? Where are those leading with courage and strength, hope, compassion, truth, and yes, even love? Much like the “helpers” Mr. Rogers spoke about, they are here – look for them. Courage IS here. Those words from Fred Rogers about helpers, used so often, are advice for children, words to help children find hope in inexplicable, horrific situations. We, though, are the adults. We must be the helpers, be the models for the children of the world, our children – in Yemen, in cages in U.S. border states, in our neighbor playgrounds – our children. No matter why we may have made the choices as individuals and as a nation that have brought us to this place, we can now effect positive change. Each, in our daily lives, can do so in our treatment of others, and by living the life we want to model for our children. Teaching, nurturing, and living a life of courage, hope, compassion, truthfulness. Faith, joy, love.

We may not all consider ourselves leaders or activists, but we can all vote. (Even that right is being made difficult for many citizens, here in our United States of America.) Voting is not only our right (thanks to the courage and determination of many, see the 15th and 19th amendments), voting is our responsibility. Please vote.

Our children, the children of our neighborhood, our country, our world, are looking for helpers. Love thy neighbor – we’re all neighbors. And, always have hope.

On a personal note – we are settled, goats and dachshunds too, in our winter home. (Yes, I understand how lucky I am to be able to say that.) Next week I once again go to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for a full day of tests and appointments. Finding joy in the everyday every day.

Corinne Pert, ROS1der

Tag: hope

Feeling Grateful for the Opportunity

Hope, always have hope!

Share this:

Share this: