For the past year, I've been following a college friend's battle with melanoma cancer. Kathy lost her battle yesterday. My thoughts are with her husband Eric and their three daughters. Eric maintained a journal that gave updates on Kathy's battle with melanoma. The journal is a lesson in strength, and more specifically, strength derived from faith. During the entire battle, and even up to Kathy's passing, Eric's writing rarely expressed fear, hopelessness, or pity. Ironically, I often found strength for my own life through Eric's journal entries. One of the most profound entries was when Eric expressed their situation as win-win. If Kathy defeated cancer, she would be able to stay on Earth with her family and friends. And if she lost her battle to cancer, then she would be healed with a new and stronger body in the kingdom of Heaven.I would not call myself a devout Christian, but I've been taught the value of having faith. Because in the lowest of moments, when everything else around you is saying "can't" or "no", it is faith that tells you it can, it's possible, or it's okay. Faith is strength. Enjoy your new body Kathy.
10 comments:
Beautiful post Kiet!
I am sorry for your loss my friend but a champion message from a champion man.
Hutch
wow, I can't stop crying. from your post and from the journal that Eric has kept along the way. What amazing strength he has. they will all be in my thoughts and prayers :)
kiet thanks for sharing this most essential lesson of the power of the human condition. faith is the vehicle that empowers us to transcend. when i spent my months trekking in tibet with the local people i realized the difference between faith and religion. it was one of those moments of clarity where i felt like someone turned up the dimmer swith a notch and offered me some additional light to see the road ahead. new paths are hard in the beginning for you have to hold down the grass really hard at first and to compound this in some cases with darkness - faith is often all we have. eric touched upon something that few of us can comprehend and it takes a lot of faith to let go of the power within. a lot of love was and continues to be present and we live with all the memories in our hearts as we process the loss. the beauty of his words and actions is profound and my thoughts and prayers go out to their family during this time of hardship.
thanks again kiet for sharing - you too are a big part of the whole process and feel blessed to have met you and continue to share in your journey.
peace and a big hug,
Gregory
Oh so very sad, I hate cancer. It always seems to take the best people from us! And agree, will be so great to see her in heaven someday.
Oh Kiet, my heart goes out to you and Kathy's family. What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful person.
It was good to see you Sunday - awesome video of Charisa :-)
Kathy and Eric have touched so many with their journey and message and for you to pass it on is a blessing to us all. Thank you Kiet.
tn
I just found your blog and I think it might have been for a reason.. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss and I can't imagine how tough things must be for you and Kathy's family. My heart goes out to them right now and they will certainly be in my prayers. I agree with you wholeheartedly that faith is knowing in your heart that there is more than this life and living your life to help others...you obviously feel the same way and just by sharing your thoughts have already blessed me today. Thank you for that!! Keep your head up :) Kim S.
WOW. Powerful, Heartbreaking, and Inspiring all at the same time. Thanks for posting and my condolences for the loss of your friend.
One of my favorite Bible verses is Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. Cancer sucks. But her husband is right - it was a win-win situation as she is now enjoying something more amazing than our minds could ever imagine! Stay faithful Kiet!
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