Quote of the Day: “This very moment is a seed from which the flowers of tomorrow’s happiness grow.” Margaret Lindsey
Taylor sent us his goals for 2012 and towards the end of his letter he wrote: “2011 was a very different year but a great year for growth. I think we all grew in the ways we needed. I wasn’t able to be there for you Mom but I love you. Your example was so incredible to me. Without you having cancer I wouldn’t have been half the missionary I am.” I kept thinking about his words all night wondering what he has gone through being away from home with limited communication when all this medical stuff was happening. I think he must have grown in his faith that all would be alright. I know he must have been comforted. I also know that he feels very strongly about being obedient and that his obedience will make other future trials in his life easier to handle. I often thought, last year, that it was a good thing that Taylor was shielded from much that was going on but perhaps not, sometimes our minds conjure up worse scenarios than is really the case.
But it also got me thinking about what I have learned from my experience with cancer that I wouldn’t trade.
THINGS CANCER HAS TAUGHT ME:
1. Appreciation for every day- such as noticing each sunset like it’s the first time or last time, going a step beyond being really grateful to be alive
2. No sweating the small stuff- letting little annoyances and pettiness go by the wayside
3. Believing that God knows best and all things will work out- “Do not fear tomorrow, God is already there.”
4. Understanding that relationships and acts of kindness are the important things that matter, money, cars, prestige- don’t really make the man and we can’t take it with us
5. Being able to really see the sorrow in people who take life for granted, who waste time and words- they will have to account for them
6. Suffering is not permanent, time does pass and sadness, although it is never fully gone, can be replaced by joys in life, like the birth of a new baby or being able to use your body again
7. Each of us has something on this earth that we were meant to do and we have to be brave enough to go after it
8. Problems aren’t going to go away, God can’t do everything, you must take action to make your life what you want it to be
9. Listening is very important, it’s more than just hearing, it’s understanding with your heart, it’s really looking at someone with your eyes and experiencing compassion
10. Most people are lovely and have caring spirits
Taylor, giving it his all, in Guatemala
Hi Joanie,
I’m sorry to admit that I haven’t read your blog lately since the holidays arrived. But I sat down tonight and read your last several entries, and I just want you to know how grateful I am to have you for a friend. You are very inspirational to me. I can’t wait to be together again in the sun and fun of the beautiful desert.