A cottage by the gulf, a mountain retreat, our RV heading wherever we chose, these are the images that come to mind for a “Home Away from Home”. For the last month and a half Laurie has been away from home and away from John but not at any of the serene places envisioned. I have been walking a path with my sister as she journeys through cancer treatment.
We have completed the first leg of this journey as she finishes her chemo and radiation. During this journey, many people have come into our lives none more important than the medical staff, all of whom have wings and offer rays of sunshine. They have been there every step of the way encouraging, lecturing, crying, and laughing with us. There are too many to mention and all hold a valued place in my heart. Without these angels, this journey would have been more difficult, painful and less positive. Each time we walked into chemo my sister was met with a friendly smile and a warm blanket and the warmth of the staff continued throughout her treatment. Even when lecturing was needed it was given with warmth, laughter and love.
As we walked this path we met many other people, all rays of sunshine, along the way. We believe they were placed in our path for a reason – to cheer, to sooth, to give grace. The older lady in radiation who called us “Her Baby Girls” and past recipes and magazines to us brought a touch of normalcy to treatment. The “Quiet Lady” in radiation who would smile yet never spoke; I always wondered what she was thinking. The “Chemo Hat Lady” although not having chemo she would arrive each time with a different hat, some more eccentric and eclectic than others. The “Knitting Club”, two ladies knitting together while one received chemo, with the pattern du jour including delicate baby clothes, hats and shawls. The “Music Man” with his stringed instrument, like a small guitar, some days the music was not welcomed and other days it was like a soothing salve. The gentleman going through the same treatment as my sister and had served in the Air Force in Germany the same time as John, we discussed the German restaurants in the Austin area and when we all might go and celebrate. And then there was Ms. S! She came into chemo not like a sun ray but like the sun itself. Ms. S was always smiling, upbeat, hugging and kissing all. If you were down you could not help but brighten when Ms. S appeared!
All of these people and many more appeared when we needed them most. At times we knew we needed them while we have yet to realize why others walked our path.
