Insanely Unfair, and a too-Often Told Tale

Today I heard that a young woman I know has succumbed to cancer. It was a rare form, and in one that young (she was in her very early 30s), it took hold very potently. She fought it traditionally for a year, then bravely informed her husband that she would forego chemo, which had made her life hell, and live whatever life she had left with quality and dignity. They took on alternate therapies and the last time I saw her, last September at our cottage holiday, she looked like a million dollars. She shone over our festivities with such style and I thanked her for bringing some badly needed glamour to our happily scruffy group. With delight she pointed out that her slinky top was from this garage sale, her jeans from Goodwill, her earrings from another yard sale, etc., with nothing costing more than $5. She looked as though a professional stylist had made it all happen. And only her smooth, lovely bald head would give you any indication she had been, or was still ill.

For one so very beautiful she had a surprisingly powerful personality, a great sense of humour, and had chosen to live outside the big city, in a very small community where she found a wonderful home with her husband and dogs.

I've sighed many of those long, shuddering sighs today, and all the petty problems seem so very petty tonight.

Oh, for comfort for her loved ones! This really is insanely unfair, but such is life it seems.

From the top: sunset in the Kawarthas; sun on the water on the same lake; bulbs just outside the front door this afternoon