I received an unexpected Christmas gift the other day. It was a simple little poem from a dear friend. I’ll get to that in a moment, but here’s the background.
My friend was diagnosed recently with stage three ovarian cancer. She has had surgery and is now going through chemotherapy and the side effects. She and her husband are managing, taking it a day at a time, but the disease is life-threatening.
She has many, many friends and, like my wife and I, they have visited, called, written, offered help and support.
Then on Christmas Eve, she sent this verse to all of her friends.
I miss my hair.
I miss my butt.
I miss having energy.
But not my gut.
Cancer Sucks.
My friends are the best.
Thanks for the flowers and food,
visits, calls, cards and all the rest.
You’ve surrounded me
with so much loving care.
Compared with that
what’s a little hair?
She added, “Hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I love each and every one of you.”
So, this is Christmas! The gift of love, that bottomless reservoir that we can all draw upon for hope and support, an acknowledgment that we are not alone, an illumination in the darkest night.
My friend is the one deserving this holiday of the gift of good news about her cancer. However, she is the one who has given generously with her simple verse.
With so much loving care, what’s a little hair?