Forever Changed

Here in Memphis there is a 5K run in memory of Forrest Spence, who lived a total of 55 days. Last Wednesday 's COMMERCIAL APPEAL quoted the co-chairman of the event, "the outpouring of love the Spences received during Forrest's life forever changed them..."

An experience of almost drowning in the deluge of love and support of God and His people does just that. As my friend Sally said of the experience of having breast cancer, "You'll never see things the same way again."

Friends called, sent cards, showed their support on Facebook and brought food, mountains of it. I don't know when I have felt so loved! When my granddaughter asked if all these people were our best friends, I replied that many weren't. They were simply being the hands and feet of Jesus to us. "That's what the body of Christ does.

And I am overwhelmed! Honored beyond belief to be part of this all. It's much easier to give than receive, but I felt His love as I let them give.

Some time in the 1960's, television changed from black and white to color. Technicolor they called it. I remember sitting on the sofa in my cousin's living room and marveling at the difference. What had been flat and grey suddenly burst into a rainbow of blues and greens and yellows and reds. Characters on the same shows I had watched many times before suddenly had blue eyes or red hair, instead of monochromatic grey. They wore clothing that was bright purple or orange or emerald green, instead of the pants and shirts and ties and dresses that had been variations on the color blah! Nothing was what it appeared to be before!

So life is after cancer. I stop and watch and listen carefully to the world around me. The neighborhood dressed in a lush summer green with pink and purple flowers in her hair. My granddaughter's giggle is a tiny bell ringing joy inside me. The smell of bacon and eggs being prepared in a corner of the gas station around the corner is strong, inviting perfume making me heady with prospects of home cooking heaven. People I love are timeless treasures enriching me with their presence.

So I begin this new portion of my life with joy in my heart and my little-girl hand firmly clasping the big one of my Heavenly Father.