Emma’s life and brain tumor
Our good friend’s 5 year old daughter Emma, we are told, has about 6 months to live. Makes every painful experience I’ve ever had - including my house fire, Mimoli’s hair loss, and Elin’s long hospitalization - seem small. A long painful illness with little hope, it’s the worst outcome i can imagine. And her parents are the most kind and giving people you can imagine: Dad chose to teach at a special school for troubled highschool dropouts. Why them? And WHY this sweet five year old?
And what can I do for them? I’ll try to learn. The event is so close to me, yet so far away. I eat and sleep and work in peace, and from experience I know this will consume that family completely for months or years. I look outside and fall is turning to winter, like every other Fall I’ve loved. For one nearby family, and millions of other I don’t know in the world, this season, this day, is unlike anything ever known before.
If it was Mimoli, I’d tell her vivid, colorful stories about the immortality of the soul - I’d ask her to be my mommy next time. I’d tell her we each come to life for some lessons, and that she’s graduated. How could I hold back my tears, so she wouldn’t be afraid? I’d lean on Dr. Brian Weiss‘ past+future life research, and on the spiritual teachings of Seicho-No-Ie, many of which I’ve come to respect deeply. I’d try the dailystrength.org community.
I am grateful on most moments of my life, but right now my gratitude is more visceral. We are so lucky and blessed to spend every minute we have with the people we love. And life is love.
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