Good morning…
Yesterday, my dad rang the bell, indicating the end of radiation treatment for his prostate cancer. Driving himself to nine weeks of five days per week was a huge, important commitment. What joy to celebrate the end of this life-giving accomplishment.
Today, my dad turns 89 years old.
For his birthday week, I sent him a card with seven small cards, each card with one joke per day (my dad is always equipped with a bad joke). From miles away, I feathered a handmade nest with my prayers, so very grateful that my parents have each other at age 89 and nearly 88.
I also sent a $50 gift card for Costco, since my parents try to “escape” most days, taking a drive through the park to Costco for gas, groceries, and samples. They take different routes to Costco, often parking in a handicapped spot beside Lake Erie to notice which direction the wind is blowing, to see how high the waves are that day, to watch people along the shore. My plan is to visit them in Ohio between my parents’ birthdays this year, at the end of May when they perform their next musical, Sound of Music, with a cast of about ninety other residents from their senior living community.
The same week my dad began radiation treatment in Ohio, our foreign exchange student from 1975 began cancer treatment in Norway.
Now 67 years old, Margit wrote me in February: “Dear Sue, I will start chemo and immunotherapy. That means dad and I have parallel paths in the weeks to come. I find immense relief and encouragement in your daily blog despite the fact that I am not a religious person. One of my good friends in a pastor, and she has advised me to pray nevertheless. It feels somewhat hypocritical, however also soothing.”
Week after week, I have been praying diligently for both my dad and for Margit. Last week I received this text from her: “Dear Sue, the CT scan shows the treatment works. I will know more April 30th when I meet with the oncologist. I like to think your prayers and your thoughts are contributing.”
This month my dad donated money in Margit’s honor to the Rally Foundation fund for Eliza Darland here in Atlanta, since Margit’s grandson is also a survivor of childhood cancer.
People matter immensely to my dad.
While I was growing up, Judy Wise and her husband Paul were some of my parents’ best friends. Paul went to heaven years ago, but Judy reads our daily blog from her home in North Carolina. Recently, Judy wrote: “Your message today reminded me of something I had seen a while back. A friend who is an oncology nurse has it on the wall in her office. Hope all is well with your family. Tom and Marie are frequently in my thoughts and prayers.”
Here is the image she sent from our blog post a few years back.
Right away, I returned her email. “Hi Judy. This is beautiful and true. I have heard this poem read at funerals too. It certainly is worth revisiting, both the poem and the connecting Scripture verse. My mom and dad are good. Dad’s body is handling the radiation amazingly well. Yesterday on the phone, my mom’s voice sounded as strong as I have heard it in a very long time. I’m so grateful my parents have a lifetime friendship like yours!”
So on this special day of my father’s birth, I celebrate with him the gift of life. Family and friends. Cancer treatments and creative connections. Noticing the movement of God in the wind, the waves, and our soothing prayers.
Happy birthday, Dad! I love you very much.
…Susie…
