I learned yesterday that a friend of mine is very ill. I was told she started losing vision three weeks ago, then had surgery within two days to remove a brain tumor and they couldn't get it all, so she'll undergo chemo.
My friend is only 36 and she has two small children. I believe her oldest turns five this fall.
I can't imagine the pain she is going through, both physical and emotional. Unspeakable. I can't stand the thought of those children having to grow up without their mother, and of her not having the chance to see them grow up. And the pain her whole family must be going through...
It makes everything else seem so trivial.
I'm sorry to say that I haven't seen Diane for a few years. We became friends when we both lived in Saskatoon and it's been a very long time since we lived in the same city. I need to find the courage to contact her. It won't be easy, but I want her to know that I care and that I'm praying for her. I want to hug her tight. I want to help somehow.
I know there isn't much I can do, but at least I can send her good thoughts. I read an article probably 10 or 11 years ago about healing through thoughts and it really stuck with me for some reason. (See Healing at a Distance: "Research reveals that people respond well to prayers and hopes propelled by nothing more than loving intention.") I don't know if I believe it, but I'd like to -- especially at times like this.
***
Found in the March 22, 2006 issue of the Weyburn Review:
Feeding the wild boar:
Diane Hood spreads out a bucket of feed for the 25 head of wild boar she and husband Jamie keep on their game farm south of Halbrite. The Hoods mainly raise whitetail deer on their ranch, but keep some head of boar as part of their operations.
