(I Hate) Tumors

At my home church in California, there is a little girl struggling with a malignant brain tumor. I saw some news footage taken of her and her sweet family, and I wept. I hate tumors. All tumors. But specifically ones having to do with the brain. It hits too close to home. Almost three years ago, I almost lost my sister to a brain tumor. Fortunately, the ending to Jaime's story is a happy one - one I rejoice in constantly. She is alive and well and is Supermom. I am so grateful for the miracle God did in saving her life.

However, I am struck and saddened by the fact that Jaime's ending is not the same as everyone else's. My grandfather died of brain cancer two years ago. My best friend lost her father to a heart attack. And this little girl I have never met is battling for her life against a malignant brain tumor. There are countless other stories from faceless people I do not know, and my heart breaks for the patients and for their families. I know what they're going through - I've been there too. And I cannot imagine doing it again.

I am not sure I will ever understand why tragedy strikes, why tumors and heart attacks and cancer happens... Why it happens to the people it happens to, or why God saves some and chooses to bring others home to Him... Maybe I'm not supposed to get it. Maybe the growth comes from the process, not from the understanding... I don't know.

I don't have much of a point with this blog post, I don't have a cute picture to display, and right now a clever and concise ending escapes me. So, I'll just end by asking you join me in praying for this little girl and for the people in your life who are struggling and battling and trying desperately to live. That is all. Thanks.

Love (and the Royal Wedding)

I could choose to be cynical. It's not hard - I usually am. I could be really critical and slightly bitter. I could be righteous and judgmental. I could scoff and roll my eyes. But I have a choice. And I choose love.

This week something happened in Britain. (I like saying Britain instead of England because I think it sounds better and more pretentious, and I like pretension sometimes.) I don't know the whole story. I only know what I have read. And I take everything the media says with a grain of salt because I don't actually know these people - though I'd like to - and I don't know if what is reported is actual truth. But I'd like to believe it is.

This weekend, two people got married on TV. Two people who seemed very much in love, and very much aware of what they were getting themselves into. Over two billion people tuned in to watch in person, on television, and online. I was one of these people. I was glued to the TV for hours, watching two people I have never met and will most likely never meet recite vows, pledge their love to one another, kiss, and wave... A lot.

I did this because I believe in love. I believe that we as humans are capable of greatness. I believe that we are created to change lives and to change each another. And, mostly, I believe we are created to love each another.

I think this wedding is a great love story. I don't know them, but I wish them well. I wish that they will experience joy and growth and love and happiness and the simple and ordinary things that can only come after you commit to share your life with someone else. It's a real love story. Yes, one of them is a prince, and the other is the woman who fell for him and who he fell for in return, so the ordinary part might feel different than most. And yes their wedding was lavish and extravagant and humongous. But it makes me happy. And in this bitter world full of cynicism, criticism, bitterness, and devastation, I think we are all entitled to a day like this.

Cheers to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge! I wish you every happiness. And thanks for the chance to look back on my own wedding and marriage and feel truly blessed. I can only hope that you will be as happy as I am.