My heart is heavy

I feel so helpless.  I can’t do anything about my daughter-in-law’s cancer other than pray and be there for her, my son and their toddler. 

She is in the front of my mind tonight as she returns to the hospital tomorrow for more tests.   The treatment that kept her alive for the past year has stopped working.  Now her her doctors need to find another treatment to keep her Stage IV cancer at bay.

I am so thankful that they are willing to try something else rather than throwing in the towel.

Cancer is a roller coaster.  One shoe has dropped.  I hope the other one never does.

A few good deeds

A few weeks ago I decided to do a good deed everyday. Sounds kind of pollyannish but it has been a great mood changer for me.  Some mornings I wake up thinking, “‘What will I do today to help someone?”  It is wonderful start to my day.

I have called people to say hello; taken a recent widow to lunch; written notes, picked up trash on the streets.  In other words, I have done only what good people everywhere do.

These little things have not changed the world but they have helped me feel useful and helpful.

In the words of American poet Emily Dickinson

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
~Emily Dickinson

My heart is still heavy but I do find a bit of solace in helping others even if only in small ways.

Be well.