Friday, August 27, 2010

Saying Prayers and Moving Forward

I have come to notice that I did not blog at all in the month of August. While my erstwhile fellow bloggers have latched onto news headlines, heated topics and their own journeys, I have blithely ignored typing anything at all. Not that I don't have things to say or nothing on my mind. Rather, the things on my mind are very difficult to put into writing. I have a handful of wonderful friends with whom I share some of my innermost feelings but even there I hold back. Larry, my husband and best friend, does not see a whole picture.

This past month has seen a lot of events. Birthdays are numerous among my family and friends over the summer months and it seems like a summer-long celebration of life. It started with just that: One of my FORCE Friends(Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, www,facingourrisk.org) had celebrated her 50th birthday. She wanted us all to celebrate LIFE and our various journeys that got us to this point in time and how our lives have all intersected. She has been battling Breast Cancer for several years and been Stage IV for quite some time. As of this writing, she is in hospice at home. Her husband wants everyone to understand that this is not the end, but rather for her to catch up and be able to be in her own home instead of the hospital. But from what he says, she is tired of the fight and the chemotherapy, the stomach problems, the fatigue and the headaches and IV bags.

It is selfish of us to have her keep fighting when she herself wants none of it. I realized the same thing when my father was nearing the end of his battle with Breast Cancer.

Where I would normally recite and sing the Mishebayrach for her and others who are trying to keep fighting this beastly disease, I have heard another song recorded by Debbie Friendman. It is called "Mourning into Dancing" and her YouTube recording is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLsTk0YpE4A

Many of the songs and prayers Friedman sings are on this album:



The lyrics are universal and transcends all faiths as does so much of Friedman's liturgy. I will remember my family and friends' battles with cancers, their grace and spirit. And I pray that from this day forward that God, or however you perceive a Higher Power, will be with us all when we are in need, whether or not we know it ourselves. The lyrics follow:

He's turned my mourning
Into dancing again
He's lifted my sorrows
I can't stay silent
I must sing
For His joy has come

Where there once
Was only hurt
He gave His healing hand
Where there once
Was only pain
He brought comfort
Like a friend
I feel the sweetness
Of His love
Piercing my darkness
I see the bright
And morning sun
As it ushers in
His joyful gladness

You've turned my mourning
Into dancing again
You've lifted my sorrows
And I can't stay silent
I must sing
For Your joy has come

Where there once
Was only hurt
You gave Your
Healing hand
Where the once
Was only pain
You brought comfort
Like a friend
I feel the sweetness
Of Your love
Piercing my darkness
I see the bright
And morning sun
As it ushers in
Your joyful gladness

Your anger lasts
For a moment in time
But Your favor is here
And will on me for
All my life time


Sending Shalom, Peace, and my Love and hugs to all!

Beth

2 comments:

  1. I will keep your friend in my prayers, and her family, for peace and understanding. It's so hard to let go, but until I was diagnosed with cancer myself and had to go through chemo, I never truly understood why someone would just want to stop fighting it. I don't consider that "giving up" up though, rather, it's a choice you make after giving it everything you have. I will pray for your friend to feel comfort, peace, and be free from pain.

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