Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Throwback Tuesday - The Full Measure of Courage

Today, my childhood best friend would have turned 66 years old.  But she is not here to celebrate with me.

This is from a post from the summer of 2013, when my friend was a couple of years into her fight for health.

My friend sent an email to friends and family:
I brought the fruits of my knit/crochet project to the pediatric oncology department today. Grand total was 2 baby blankets 7 hat scarf sets, 2 plain hats, and 9 infant/toddler hats. The nurses were so excited and happy. Some good came out of some bad. I hope some children like the things I made while waiting.
As one of my other friends from childhood said "cancer and children should never be in the same sentence."

At the time I wrote this post, my friend's husband was battling cancer alongside of her. Her spouse had to spend a lot of time in doctor's offices to be treated for a medical condition.   My friend normally came with  him and waited for him while he has his treatment - sometimes waiting an hour (or even more).

Out of boredom, she started to do her needlework while waiting.

She did beautiful crocheting and knitting work - and, recently, has been working on projects for pediatric oncology patients.

I crochet but I do not knit, and I wanted to show off her work because I know quality work when I see it.   Again, this is from 2013:

A crocheted blanket and some knit hats.
Another crocheted blanket.
And finally, some hats and scarves.

We have the cliche "lemons out of lemonade" - this is about as lemony as you can get.

And now she's gone - three years gone, in September.  In her last two years, she showed the full measure of courage, but she fought a foe that was strong, and unrelenting.   Her memory lives on in those of us who miss her.  On days like today, especially - what would have been her birthday - I miss her.  She was a teacher, and she taught me so much.

One day, perhaps, I will understand why she was taken from us too soon.

One day, perhaps, no one will know the meaning of the word "cancer".
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7 comments:

  1. songbird's crazy worldJune 19, 2018 at 6:37 AM

    Cancer sucks. Succinct but accurate. The blankets look lovely

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  2. Cerebrations.bizJune 19, 2018 at 9:33 AM

    I just lost a friend to the cancer family, too. He'll be remembered (ok, he'll ALWAYS be remembered- but the subject of my blog) in a few days.

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  3. UnknownJune 19, 2018 at 9:45 AM

    Alana, this is so beautiful and a great testament to your friend on her birthday! You made me cry! <3

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  4. Diane Stringam TolleyJune 19, 2018 at 11:51 AM

    Those precious people taken too soon. Something I'll never understand. Wonderful that she left such a legacy of love and learning. Thank you for sharing her with us.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Karen @BakingInATornado.comJune 19, 2018 at 12:40 PM

    Your tribute to her brings her into my life as well. She did beautiful work. May her memory be for a blessing.

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  6. Liz A.June 19, 2018 at 4:56 PM

    She did beautiful work. It's sad to remember friends that were taken too soon.

    ReplyDelete
  7. XmasDollyJune 20, 2018 at 10:20 PM

    So sorry about your loss of a friend. It's as bad as family sometimes. I too am a crochet person. It calms my nerves & keeps me busy. Plus my family is so big it helps with gifts too & my pocket book. Thank you for sharing your friend's beautiful work. Have a good evening my friend. HUGS

    ReplyDelete

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