As you might expect pink was the color of the evening and most were wearing pink of some sort. However, we met two exceptional men wearing pink suits. But not just pink suits but pink shoes, hats and hankies as well. They looked so good I had to have my picture taken with them. I asked the elder gentleman if his spouse was a breast cancer survivor. He replied "no, I am". I was floored. This guy had male breast cancer just over 5 years ago and was cancer free. We also met a lady named Jan who had obviously been through chemo within the last year. She had just gone through a recurrence of her cancer and was cancer free after her second round of chemo. She asked Kelley how long ago she had been through treatment. Kelley said "I have a double mastectomy next Tuesday". Poor Jan looked like someone stabbed her in the side. Tears welled up in her eyes and she immediately went and gave Kelley a hug. Now I am about to say some unbelievable things. Before I do let me just say "I am scared of what Kelley is facing and what the treatment of this cancer will do to her." But I can also say that this cancer is a blessing. And the interesting thing is Jan said the same thing when discussing her battle with cancer. I say that because if you knew Kelley just a few years ago a stranger trying to hug Kelley would typically not receive a warm response from her. And someone other than immediate family saying "I love you" would have received silence back. But that is not the case anymore. Kelley is so much more open to love and affection. One thing I find really interesting and refreshing is that when you meet another person or family that has gone through or is going through cancer there is an instant bond. Its like all the pretense and "b.s." of normal life have no meaning and life becomes about living and loving and giving. How can that not be a blessing? Oh don't think that there are not dark days that come with cancer. There are more than anyone would care to experience. But the light days are lighter, the love is deeper, and all the things you have to be grateful for are much more visible.
The guy in the pink suits name is Michael. Kelley and I both had an instant connection with Michael. I wish you could have seen him. Michael is probably in his late 40s or early 50s. And he is a big, black, sweet, encouraging man. And when I say big I mean big in every way. And being decked out from head to toe in pink he is impossible to miss. I don't know where he is from or his background or what he does for a living but I know he is a friend and I know Kelley and I will never forget him. I will post a picture of him in a later post.
You know I was planning on writing about how sad and afraid I have been today. But just writing about Michael and Jan have already made me feel better. I still don't want Kelley to have to go through this but maybe new relationships and helping others is worth all of this. I guess it is easy for me to say since no one is cutting on me but I think Kelley would agree. Our good friend Alvin can tell you that sometimes what feels like the worst thing that could possibly happen in the moment can wind up being the greatest thing that ever happened to you. I hope that will be the case with this and I believe it will eventually.
