I sit and wait. My name is called from behind the heavy, wooden door and I quickly gather my belongings and walk towards them. The nurses compliment my "thick, long hair" as I walk passed them to get blood work done. There's something about going to the doctor when you're sick or recovering from being sick. You need to look nice. Look heathy. Prove to yourself and others that this illness can't and won't take everything away from you. I sit here with a clean bill of health for the time being and to my left I see a young woman dressed to impress wearing a head cap, a beautiful hat and make up as if she were going to be walking down the isle soon. She could barely put one foot in front of the other as she struggled to pry open what seemed to be a 200 pound door. 'The face of cancer' I thought. Bald. Weak. Sickly. She's doing everything she can to not be seen as being sick, yet there's no looking past it.. I've tried so hard to remove myself from this world of cancer. Wanting so badly to not have to be a part of it. Rid my hands of the endless doctor appointments, stupid blood work every few months, and silly bills. Not deal with the looks that say, "you poor thing" or the lack of eye contact because they aren't sure what to say. As I see her living in her struggle. Fighting for every breath, every step. I immediately want to be back in this community. It's a chance to be a beacon of hope. A shining light in what may be the darkest times for some. Our actions and reactions to the things that happen to us and those around us can change the course of someone's day, possibly even their life. Take every opportunity to be present in the lives of those around you, wether you know them or not, and know that you have the ability to make a difference. Make a difference with a smile, a short conversation, holding the door for someone. It doesn't have to be a big gesture to have a big meaning.
AuthorMy name is Amber. Archives
November 2022
Categories |