The gift of cancer...

How could cancer be a gift? Cancer has given me a second chance at how I am living my life. A second chance to tell my family and friends how grateful I am for them and that I love them. Cancer has given me overwhelming support, kindness, generosity and love. What's more surprising is who it came from. Those I thought were shoe-ins for support didn't quite follow through and those people I would never have expected anything more than a card really touched me with their generosity. You never know how people will react when you get sick, but after you do you see people's real heart. I don't hold any ill will towards those that didn't quite come through as I had expected, people react to illness in their own way. I'm just grateful to those that surprised me. What a wonderful life I have lived so far knowing how loved I am.

I recently heard this song the other day and it reminded me of how I feel about my entire experience with cancer. And yes, I consider the outpour of love and support to be the best thing that cancer gave me.

Angels Among Us
Written by: Becky Hobbs
Performed by: Alabama

I was walking home from school on a cold winter day.
Took a shortcut through the woods, and I lost my way.
It was getting late, and I was scared and alone.
But then a kind old man took my hand and led me home.
Mama couldnt see him, but he was standing there.
And I knew in my heart, he was the answer to my prayers.

Chorus
Oh I believe there are angels among us.
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours.
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.
To guide us with a light of love.

When life held troubled times, and had me down on my knees.
Theres always been someone there to come along and comfort me.
A kind word from a stranger, to lend a helping hand.
A phone call from a friend, just to say I understand.
And aint it kind of funny that at the dark end of the road.
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope.

Chorus
Oh I believe there are angels among us.
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours.
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.
To guide us with a light of love.

They wear so many faces, show up in the strangest places.
To guide us with their mercy, in our time of need.

Chorus
Oh I believe there are angels among us.
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours.
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.
To guide us with a light of love.

Chorus
To guide us with a light of love.

I also wanted to share what one of our vendors sent me. Lisa B., with Initial Tropical Plants, sent me a lovely card of support and along with this card enclosed was a beautiful necklace and pendant with the following inscription:

What Cancer Cannot Do
Author Unknown

It cannot...

invade the soul
suppress memories
kill friendship
destroy peace
conquer the spirit
shatter hope
cripple love
corrode faith
steal eternal life
silence courage

I wear this with pride and it gives me the strength to continue living a life without fear and worry. Thank you, Lisa. And Jean B., I keep my pocket angel with me everywhere I go. I swear, I am surrounded by angels!!

Much love to all!!
Brandy