I just got home from the vet, except this time I came home without my best friend. I pull my legs underneath me as I sit down on the edge of my bed. Through the large windows across from me, it’s overcast, and the puffy grey clouds grow darker over the ocean. The water stirs as the wind coaxes the waves to grow bigger. The swells build as they move closer to shore. Watching the waves crash on the beach and draw back out, over and over again is meditation. Memories of taking Dakota down to play on the beach come to mind; he loved going down to romp in the waves and chase seagulls ever since he was a puppy. If he hadn’t gotten sick, he would still be out in his favorite place.
I feel the tears forming in the corners of my eyes, and I can’t help
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I knew once Dakota was diagnosed that it would be hard. I cherished every moment of the days we had left together. But as weeks went by, good days became few and far between.
The only light in the dark atmosphere are the sudden flashes of lightning. A thin, bright white flash surrounded by a blueish-purple hue that lasts less than a second. Each strike is followed by a delayed crack of thunder. Like a game, I watch the bolts, and in the hesitation I wait to hear when the thunder will finally sound. The waiting reminded me of him. I knew the day I’d been dreading would be soon, but what I couldn’t prepare myself for was how fast it had come, and the pain that would come with it. Now it was here, and more painful than I imagined it could be.
In the midst of watching, I lay down on my side and pull my soft blanket over my shoulders. My attention focuses on each different part of the storm: the powerful waves, swirling clouds, and quick flashes of lightning. Then the swishing of the wind, clapping of the rain on the house, and the cracks and booms in the air. He suffered so much towards the end; I’m not sure if it hurt more to see him suffer, or to accept the fact that I had to let him go. So many memories of us, good and bad, come to mind; going on long walks along the beach, the day he was diagnosed, napping together in tons of blankets, and seeing his face for the last time. All the pieces come together and are pictured
If the storm had lulled at little at sunset, it made up now for lost time. Strong and horizontal thundered the current of the wind from north-west to south-east; it brought rain like spray, and sometimes, a sharp hail like shot; it was cold and pierced me to the vitals. I bent my head to meet it, but it beat me back. My heart did not fail at all in this conflict, I only wished that I had wings and could ascend the gale, spread and repose my pinions on
It was a true cancer horror story but she had stayed strong through everything and had a beautiful baby boy. After she gave birth, we went to see her and give her the check. We traveled to downtown Wilmington and visited with her new born baby, Gabe, and her husband. As we prepared to leave, we handed her the check from all of our fundraising for her. She took one look at the check in hand and bursted into tears.To her, the $1,000 check we handed her was so much more than a significant amount of money. It was a slight weight lifted off her shoulders, an emphasis on the fact that she was not in this alone, before nor
I walked into the room on New Year’s Day and felt a sudden twinge of fear. My eyes already hurt from the tears I had shed and those tears would not stop even then the last viewing before we had to leave. She lay quietly on the bed with her face as void of emotion as a sheet of paper without the writing. Slowly, I approached the cold lifeless form that was once my mother and gave her a goodbye kiss.
A couple years ago my aunt passed away from brain cancer after a long battle. It was extremely tough to bare the loss but it was even worse to see her in that kind of pain. I really could connect when Denny was in denial that Eve was going to pass away. He would just reiterate to himself everyday that Eve will come home soon and everything will go back to the way it was before she became ill. I never thought that my own aunt would actually pass away I always thought she would over come it. She had a long tough battle for about 10 years she fought. It was quite incredible to have that much time with her. Everyday I am incredibly grateful for that time. Eve knew that she was going to die, but did not show it around her loved ones. She did not want to appear weak or close to death to Zoe and especially Denny. When Eve was in hospice she was afraid to die and leave her loved ones behind. She told Enzo, “Get me through tonight, that’s all I need. Protect me. Don’t let it happen tonight. Enzo, please. You’re the only one who can help” (Stein 127). This just shows she needed more time to accept what was going to happen and was not quite ready to let go yet. My aunt was the same way, I believe that she held on so long only for us. Once she knew that we would all be okay and that we did not want to see her in pain anymore that is when she knew that she could let go. Reading this part was very emotional for
Life often throws obstacles at you so, just like the theme in “Gift From a Son Who Died” don't let terrible news change who you are. Before being diagnosed with leukemia, Eric was an athlete with a competitive edge. Being used to doing all the activities Eric would do, he was only left at home sick with his goals, “... determined to go to college later, study hard, make the soccer team, eventually make all-American” (Lund 889). After having found out he had leukemia, Eric was still convinced that he was going to be able to play soccer and attend school with a life threatening condition. As Eric lived his life with leukemia, he often reminded himself of the valuable events in his life he wasn't
One fateful day at the end of June in 1998 when I was spending some time at home; my mother came to me with the bad news: my parent's best friend, Tommy, had been diagnosed with brain cancer. He had been sick for some time and we all had anxiously been awaiting a prognosis. But none of us were ready for the bumpy roads that lay ahead: testing, surgery, chemotherapy, nausea, headaches, and fatigue. Even loud music would induce vomiting. He just felt all around lousy.
The book is written by Pamela Tucker Burton, an ordinary person who experienced the death of four family members, she shares her experiences and how a family stay positive, when they faced a deadly disease. In Pamela’s family were no cancer survivors, there were no encouraging sentiments to alleviate their pain. For a family with strong Christian beliefs the only healing and strength for their family was to pray, don’t be afraid and be spiritually prepared for the final journey.
Everything is perfectly fine, everything is great, then one day it all comes crashing down and shattered pieces are left. My life would never be the same but I guess change is for the best and it forced me to become the person I am today. It’s rough to be the oldest child, especially when your mom is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and you have 3 younger sisters that look to you for comfort when their mom can’t be there. When the cancer is spread throughout your moms body doctors can’t just get rid of it no matter how badly you wish they could. Rounds of chemotherapy only slow it down, yet it’s still there a lurking monster waiting to reappear at any given moment. Nothing can even begin to describe the fear I felt, and still have to deal with today, but something happened where I could be there for others. What would Sheridan think, or what would 8 year old Lane think if they saw me cry? I had to be Strong not only for me, but for my other family members.
The Jersey Shore oozes Hawaiian vibes with the majestic deep purple acai blend from a roadside shack. I got to cross off “taste testing acai bowls” on my summer bucket list as I was stumbling across this gem near 10th avenue: Playa Bowls at the Pier Village in Long Branch Beach, New Jersey. After tanning and enduring a long day on the beach, it was the perfect revitalizing snack. I was hyped to know about a smoothie bowl spot on the beach after a few buzzes on the beach about the place and saw everyone holding one of these bowls on the boardwalks. The long line that went outside the door spoke for itself.
My brain was awake now and I was already worrying. The fiery sun was hot as it rose as if it were a big, yellow balloon in the distance. The soft, white sand glistened as it reflected the sun's rays. Brilliant orange poured out of it and across the horizon, and with the sky being blood red, dawn broke.
A new day has begun. Slowly ascending into the cold dark sky, the sun glows vibrantly with delight. The passionate colours fill the sky with warmth like the pink grapefruits, zesty lemons, citrus oranges and cherry red. The sea so subtle sparkles preciously as it strolls up against the shore. The crystal water that stretch out far into the horizon gets darker and deeper but stays very calm.
In the year of 2004, my grandmother was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. My first thought was “My grandmother is going to die,” although, that was not the result I anticipated. It was merely a hasty thought that intersected my mind. Based on the information from the doctor, I wasn’t sure on the amount of time I would have left to share with my grandmother. During this time, I knew that I would have to cherish each moment to a greater magnitude. Oftentimes, daily events of life
As I lay on the minute golden grains of sand, I looked up at the brilliant sky, adorned with flashes of pink and orange and purple, mirroring the colours of a flawless seasoned apricot. The goddess-like sun’s face is being embraced by the demure navy fingertips of the skyline.
The sun gleamed vibrantly on August 5, 2008, but I did not sense the warmth as my thoughts were elsewhere. I was only six years old at the time and preparing to begin first grade in less than one month. As I crossed the threshold into the home of my best friend, I had a sensation everything would change. At such a young age, I was having to tell my best friend goodbye. Blake Basgall had leukemia and would not be around when I returned from vacation, according to my mom. That day, I had spent hours coloring a picture in his favorite color, blue, so I could give it to him prior to heading to my grandma’s for the week. Blake was my first real friend. He had a thoughtful and daring heart through all of his surgeries and medication treatments. Blake Lee Basgall would become an inspiration
As I walked down the worn dirt path to the ocean, I was astonished by how many people were lounging by the water.. As I got closer to the water’s edge, I contemplated why more people don 't swim and decide to tan in the sun instead. The feeling of being alone with the ocean and my thoughts played in my mind.