Chinese Proverb

You can only go halfway

into the darkest forest;

then you're coming out

the other side.

                               Chinese Proverb

When I read this proverb for the first time, I thought it was such a simple idea and it is.  However, the metaphor can be profound for a cancer patient/survivor.  

As I was beginning my multiple myeloma journey, it felt exactly like I was in a dark forest that was spread out around me in all directions with no pathway into the light.  I remember feeling that for the rest of my life I would be moving through the darkness of an incurable illness.  I soon found out that I wasn't traveling alone and there were shafts of light filtering through the darkness of the forest.  My family and friends and medical community surrounded me with love and support and gave me hope that I  had life beyond the darkness ahead of me.  I wish I had the benefit of the wisdom of this proverb at the beginning of my odyssey.

Reaching the halfway point in the dark forest happened for me several months ago and this summer I have reached the edge and stepped into a light filled  meadow.  I have regained so much strength and stamina and my recent trips to Denver and Boston have given me a sense of normalcy that has been completely absent for the last two and a half years.  I know that my new normal is a life re-invented, not the way I would have imagined, but it is the life I have.  

In this new re-invented life, I have found myself to be a stronger person who is less troubled by the small things that used to cause  me to worry and fret.  I do think I am enjoying and savoring the small things much more than I did in the past, realizing they are the "frosting on the cake" in so many instances.  I have always cherished my family and friends, but even those relationships have been greatly enriched by this journey through darkness into the light.  

On top of all this, I feel well.

Photos to share . . .

 The view of Boston from our 15th floor room.

Boston at night with a crescent moon - again, from our room.

Historic Faneuil Hall in Boston

Make Way for Ducklings

at

Boston Commons 

 John F. Kennedy Presidential Library

Boston 

 

Update . . .

Sadly, I have to report that Romola Robin left her nest in our wisteria and didn't return.  My hope is that she realized that the eggs would not hatch and she is safe.  My son, Tyler, reached up into the wisteria and took this beautiful but sad picture.