Looking For The Light After MDS

As cancer survivors, we all know how the dark times roll. We have gone through the shock of the diagnosis, facing the fear of treatments, waiting for tests to see if the treatments are working, and losing friends we have made who are also survivors.

But what we seldom think about is light instead of dark times. This past year has been horrible for all of us. We are witnessing a terrible political divide in our country. Everyone around us seems to catch viruses and flu as the emergency rooms are filled beyond capacity. Our unpredictable weather is causing deadly fires out west, along with horrific snowstorms all across the country and with destructive tornadoes popping up everywhere. Many people have sworn off listening to the news because they cannot handle the overload. In addition to that, we cancer survivors have to worry about our cancers, treatments and bills, and so we are indeed in a dark place.

I do not think it is a coincidence that I have been reading and hearing more about the light that makes me reflective. One of my favorite authors, Louise Penny, mentions light in her latest book, “The Grey Wolf.” The main character, Detective Armand, was in his study when he suddenly saw light. Afraid of gunfire, he soon realized it was fireflies. He pondered why somebody would give a little fly the ability to light itself. He wondered if perhaps a tiny light in the dark was the purpose of these special flies as a sort of defiance and resistance to the dark.

The next reference I read was from a devotional by Jennifer Ruth Lynn Garrison. She talks about Dec. 21 being the longest night of the year. She states we are halfway through the darkness. She explains that early Christians decided Jesus’ birthday was in December because they were celebrating the coming of the light. I never knew that!

Still, another reference came from the brand new book by Regina Brett, another one of my favorite authors. In “Little Detours and Spiritual Adventures,” she devotes an entire chapter to the importance of being the light for the world. She points out that it takes just one candle to make the darkness disappear. She calls us the "keeper of the light," just as the people who work in lighthouses are called that. They do not even move around but still keep the light for the boats. We can be still and inspire others just by being there as the light.

After the third reference, I realized we were given a message. We look at dark times like our ancestors did and the world seems dreary. But it is up to each of us, just like the firefly being a resistance to the dark, the baby Jesus when we celebrate his birthday in December, and to the people in lighthouses tending to the light. Most of us do not consider how we are a beacon to others. I still remember a friend who fought metastatic breast cancer for over 15 years. She was a light to her family, the students she taught, and the community as she continued to give and do for others. She taught all of us because of her fighting spirit. We all know one or more people who have inspired us.

When things get dark, be the firefly, the lighthouse, the candle, the light. You are making the darkness bright for yourself and other people. And that may be the greatest gift of all.

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