Christmas hope

by Lyn Ann
(Kingston, Ontario, Canada)

I lost my husband Jim from cancer about 5 weeks ago, and like all of you life has been really difficult - particularly with Christmas.

But today I had an uplifting experience that I wanted to share. I met a woman while I was waiting for an appointment. We talked, and the conversation came around to Jim. I braced myself, expecting the usual reaction from her - shock, embarrassment, discomfort – but none came. She continued the conversation as if we were discussing the news… or the weather… and she asked me details about Jim’s cancer and the experiences we had. Frank, open, honest, straightforward – I was amazed. Then after a few minutes she told me her husband had died of cancer when both of them were 37 – about 8 years ago – leaving her with 3 girls under the age of 10. She spoke openly and frankly about her husband’s long battle, the experimental treatments, his death, her anger, how she coped and didn’t cope, and her daughters. As our conversation continued my admiration grew for this woman – so wise, so understanding, and possessing an incredible quality of spirit.

This will be all of us in a few years.

God bless all of us this Christmas. Take care, Lyn Ann