However, HOWEVER, I want it to be known that amidst the tears, there is still joy in our home. We still laugh, make jokes, and smile often. We share funny stories, memories, and plans for the future. We are watching old movies, new shows, and eating lots of junk food. We are falling in love with one another in a deeper, more powerful way than ever before.
We are taking on new roles, Joe is no longer the "getter" in our house, and I can no longer serve in the role of "princess." If you don't know us well, that probably doesn't make much sense, but anyone who has been around Joe knows that he LIVES to love us. He takes care of everything we need and most of what we want or desire. Now, he is learning to have his needs met by others. The boys are stepping up and helping out whenever possible. The boys are a little sweeter to one another, and the moments are each being cherished.
We are laughing a little harder than necessary at Ben's knock-knock jokes. We watch "That 70's Show" over and over. We cook all of our favorite foods and snacks, and we enjoy the company of our friends more than ever before. We wear comfortable clothes, leave the laundry on the table, wash dishes a little less, and pet the dog a little more. We opened the pool, and despite the chill we have been in the water. We are living, every day, as long as we can. Cancer cannot stop our love.
What Cancer Can’t Do
Cancer is so limited. It cannot cripple love. It cannot shatter hope. It cannot corrode faith. It cannot eat away peace. It cannot destroy confidence. It cannot kill friendship. It cannot shut out memories. It cannot silence courage. It cannot invade the soul. It cannot reduce eternal life. It cannot quench the spirit. It cannot lesson the power of the resurrection. Amen—amen.
Bernice Chambers, 1987 Breast Cancer
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