Monday, September 16, 2019

Fleeting.

Last weekend, a former colleague died of breast cancer. She was 28.

For days, a friend had been calling out for help and prayers on Facebook for her as she’d been battling Stage IV cancer with bone metastasis. Sadly, J lost her battle Saturday morning.

I don’t know her personally or even recognize her from her pictures, but we have common friends. People who knew her said she was once vibrant and full of life before she got diagnosed with the Big C in May of 2018.

I believe them. Seeing J’s travel pictures in contrast to the pictures of her lying in her hospital bed was just too hard to look at. The decline in such a short period of time is unfathomable you won’t even think you’re looking at the same person. But I guess that’s what any disease—especially cancer, does to anyone.

My heart sank when I think of all her hopes and dreams that will never be realized. I feel for the family and friends she left behind who would miss her terribly. While things happen for a reason and some can even say that at least J’s not feeling any pain anymore, her loss is never easy for those who loved her. I understand why they mourn; why they said it’s unfair; why a friend even questioned God for allowing it to happen.

We always hear that life is short but for some, it’s even much shorter. Too soon. J didn’t even reach thirty when I’m sure she had thought of what she’d do when she gets to that age. Perhaps she would have wanted to travel more or settle down and have kids.

Then again, if God wills it, who are we to fight the One who gave life to us?



I just imagined if I died at 28, I would’ve missed out fifteen years of lessons from my experiences; or that chance to fall in love again after Alex; of meeting people who I now consider my best friends for life; or even seeing my wonderful nephews. I wouldn’t get to feel the warmth of the sun, the cool wind, and chill from the rain. I won’t get to see the beauty of the world around me.

But because God wills it that I wake up every morning, I still can feel, enjoy, laugh, think, write, sing, dance and love. Some weren’t as lucky.
  
Life, in general, can be hard on me at times but I’m still here. And while no one really knows when their time is going to be up, I thank God for my every day.

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