Time. It’s a tricky thief. A day’s length feels like an eternity while another flashes in a blink.
…and so, just like that, the last four years have passed by. It is beyond me how much has happened in that seemingly short time, how much has changed. How much of it seems like yesterday, while other parts I can hardly recall.
Four years ago we received a devastating diagnosis when my husband was rushed to the ER in excruciating pain. Stage 4 Melanoma…everywhere. An 11 month journey through treatments, strokes, brain surgery, a month of trial treatments in Texas, to the crushing realization that the cancer would ultimately bring an abrupt end to a journey we felt we could conquer.
Three years since an outgoing, chatty, beautiful 12 year old and a vibrant, witty and joyful 9 year old both said goodbye to their Dad for the very last time. The day I lost my best friend. The day SO many people lost their best friend. The day all of our lives changed.
Two years since I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing we had made it through that first tumultuous and often heartbreaking year full of the unknown and scary “firsts”, not knowing that first year was just the beginning.
One year since I began to realize that as I greeted each year, they to would pass just like the days. Some longer than others and some passing before my eyes. Each holding with it challenges interlaced with triumph.
Time has shown me many things….and just as light often holds hands with darkness, so time weaves with it the best and worst memories. It has given me time to remember that our journey…Danny’s journey, is a gift we can continue to give others. To be a light to others, even in our own darkness.
Which brings me to today, where I now have the pleasure of serving on the Cancer Can’t Board and contributing to their mission, in hopes of helping other families like ours. A chance to share our story and make a difference in our community, on behalf of our greatest loss…