It's a dirty word in my book.

It's a dirty word in my book.  The C word- CANCER. 

I don't know if it is because I am older and pay more attention, dr's are catching it earlier and some treatments are available, or if there are more cases out there but it seems like cancer is a disease that effects so many more people now than it did even a few short 15 or 20 years ago.  I am not saying that cancer wasn't prevalent then by any means but that it seems to affect so many more people now.  I don't know that I can name a single friend in my life that hasn't been affected by cancer.  Either they've had it themselves or a friend or family member has.  

I know many people that fight the hard fight daily.  They take their treatments...battle the side effects and give cancer a big wave of the finger.  They are strong and weak at the same time.  They battle and hurt and still smile through it all. They pray for successful treatment and celebrate every milestone whether it be a shrunken tumor or the regrowth of hair.  They are heroes of a different sort.  Those who have been dealt a crappy hand, put on their poker face, make the best of what they were dealt. 

As friends and family we pray and celebrate with them.  They are surrounded in love and support.  I have family and friends that have been and are currently battling that dirty word. 

From the sideline, it's hard to know what to say, what to do, to be comforting, to understand the whys.  

The harder I think about it the more I come back to the same bible verse. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3: 5-6

Trust in the Lord - give it to HIM.  It seems so simple.  Yet so hard to do.  

Everything comes in God's time - give it HIM.  

I've given it to Him. 

 I've screamed and yelled. I've asked why.  I've lain exhausted and crying at the thought of the wonderful people I know that are in pain because of this horrible disease.  And I know that those actions do me no good.  I still shed tears.  But then I pray, knowing that I might not understand or like God's timing but He has a plan.  

He will make straight my path.  

He will lead me in the right direction.  

He will give me the right words to say.  

He will lead me to be the ear to listen, the shoulder to cry on, the comforting hug, the maker of meals, the bringer of a favorite food.  It doesn't seem like much but it's what I feel led to do.  What he leads me to do.  I pray - I pray for a cure, comfort, less pain, good days, a loving family, an understanding caretaker.  

To those fighting the good fight - there are warriors that stand behind you - there to catch you when you stumble, there to pray for your needs, there to wave a finger at cancer right along side you.  

YOU DO NOT GO INTO THIS FIGHT ALONE!             

               

For those who have lost the battle - they have won the war.  They are celebrating their lives in Heaven, free of pain.  They dance the streets of gold.  They wait for us to join them in that glorious place in God's time.  We carry on them in our memories and in our hearts.  They live on here too.  

In honor of those fighting the fight - Debbie, Stephanie, Anna, and many more

Celebrating those who have found remission - Jennell, Gina, Donna, Danny, and many more

In memory of those who have won the war - Dee, Jerry, and countless others