Kindess

      Kindness is the realization of the humanity within each of us.  Kindness is more than a selfless act or charity, it's an extraordinary act of faith - people who help people, with the sole merit of the act simply to make life better.      

I've wanted to write about the extraordinary measures people are willing to go through when they find out I am ill.  Attitudes change when the gravity of my situation is realized.  Part of that is the drama of Cancer, the almost formalized seriousness that we believe we must have when first we hear someone has this disease.  In my case I found out very quickly that  support from family, friends, and coworkers was exemplified not only by an outpouring of sympathy, but by acts of kindness. 

      When I was first diagnosed and began informing those around me of my predicament I was amazed at the response.  From the very beginning my close personal friends put their immediate concerns on hold to visit and support me.  This pattern continued while I was in the Hospital - family and friends were there to make sure I was not alone.  My recovery was helped by simple acts of kindness that made my life easier.  Neighbors and friends who thoughtfully brought over  gifts of food to ease the chores of simply living each day.  Standing offers from friends and coworkers to provide transportation -any time, any place- gifts that are from the heart.    Unable to do much physically while recovering from surgery a coworker took it upon himself to clean my gutters.  He didn't ask permission, he did what he knew I could not.

     Generous gifts, given to me to raise my spirits during my recovery:  the MP3 player that I use on my daily walks, the music a reminder of friendship started while I was in University and still continues decades later.   The Palm Pilot graciously donated by a fellow coworker when my ancient Palm began to fail.  All my doctor appointments, my surgical visits, my meds, my chemo visits,  my life-with-cancer is tracked by that device.  Plus it can play chess, and best of all, MOVIES!  These devices are more than just  recreation and appointment calendars, they are a reminder of a time in my life when so many people helped me to continue  my journey.

     This past year I have seen many examples of kindness extended to me:  from the neighbor who shovels out my snow-filled driveway when I can't do it due to chemo, to  the neighbor who provides us with home-grown vegetables from his garden (well it's his son who has the green thumb!)   All those who have traveled that incredibly boring stretch of highway known as the 401 to visit me.  The phone calls from caring friends in countries far away.   Emails of support, emails that link to gift certificates at Amazon, emails that let me reconnect with long-lost cousins.   The generosity is not just for me, donations made on my behalf to the Cancer Centre extend that kindness to all Cancer patients.

     I do not know if I can truly acknowledge all those who have come together to help me during this time.  All I know is that so many wonderful people care about me that I am humbled, and eternally grateful.  Your kindness has given me more than hope, it's given me reason to savor life.