Oh what a journey and a challenge the chaos of 2020 is! As if the world and national chaos of COVID-19 and racial injustice is not enough, I now have some personal chaos to deal with. The theme is healing! Healing! Healing!
On May 28th, just 3 days after George Floyd was killed, I found a lump in my breast. Fast forward to Monday, June 22nd. After a whole bunch of tests, including a biopsy, I have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Monday morning I have a "port placement" surgery. Then Wednesday, June 24nd, I will begin the road to healing by having my first chemotherapy treatment. The rest of this year and into the next will be focused on doing what is needed to stop the cancer and get rid of it. Unfortunately, many of you already know the drill.
I appreciate all prayers and songs that are offered. I believe we always make a difference in the world when we offer compassion to each other, in whatever way we can. It works even at a distance. It's one of the miracles of life that we can do this for each other. We can be part of the healing in this way.
Please also put those same good thoughts and prayers and songs toward bringing healing to our state, our nation, our black neighbors, our indigineous neighbors, and all of us. If you don't have anything else, just offer this one intention into the world, "Healing! Healing! Healing!"
I mention all this because I imagine that this cancer journey will change the way I post on social media. It will alter the way I look at life. It may at times cause me to withdraw so I can rest and heal. It may at times discourage me. I may not feel like sharing every detail with the world.
I hope to use some of my chemotherapy hours to write more but who knows? It is an unknown path I take now. We'll just have to see how it goes. I know only this, that I trust my friends to hold me in their hearts and that I will be holding them in mine as well. I know only this, that no matter what happens, love wins.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for the gift of such dear friends and precious family. Thank you! Thank you! thank you!
And remember, the theme for 2020 is healing. Healing for our city, our state, our nation. Healing for our families, our elders, our young. Healing for our leadership, our systems. Healing for our black and indigineous neighbors. Healing for the world. The theme, the prayer, the hope is healing!
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| Pete & I --June 21, 2020 |
