Week One Perspective: Madel-Zen Detour

As we walked from the hospital to the parking lot today, I came upon a man who is also on a cancer detour. His detour is far more tumultuous than mine. And, as a result, I now have a new understanding of AWE-some. Either despite of his detour or because of the detour, he filled me with AWE. His humanity inspired me to be better - not bitter.

Just 36 years young, he and his friend were sitting in the sun just outside the parking garage. His body was misshapen because of brain tumors that are inoperative. A stranger to shyness, I found myself talking with them. In no time, we were sharing stories and reflecting on the roads we have found ourselves travelling. In his case, radiation is intended to shrink his tumors accomplished with chemo pills to kill the deadly cancer cells. A man looking squarely at death, knowing there are young children at home. Wow.

A sudden question came to mind and before thinking I asked, "Are you a Roman Catholic?" Giving me an odd look, he said "...a born Catholic who is now disillusioned". Again, without thinking I said, "just because the teachers suck does not mean the teachings are wrong.". And with that I whipped Saint Anthony from my bra.

(Detour) So, for the non-Catholics in the crowd, Anthony is the patron saint of lost causes, and he is also the maker of miracles. Many moons ago, my Mom gave me a handkerchief from St. Anthony's Monastery in Italy. As Catholics, we believe that anything that touches a Saint's relic(s) is imbued with the same energy or holiness as that which it touched. It is Saint Anthony's tongue that never decayed. During this journey, I started shoving Saint Anthony in my bra as a way of securing my miracle. I will circle back to Saint Anthony in later blogs.

(Back on Track) With Anthony now freed from my bra, I looked into the man's eyes telling him what I had in my hand. Asking for permission to touch him, he said quickly said yes. Gently, I hugged his battered body. Slowly, I touched the scar running from his head to his back along the spine saying, "My darling, miracles happen everyday, so why not you?". And, then he cried soft gentle tears. I felt one with him.

Helen Keller once reflected "I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet”.

Wow. Perspective. I have enjoyed 60 years on this earth. Right now, I have this condition called cancer making me detour. But, at the end of the day, my troubles are few. Once again, I am reborn - Madel-Zen.