Gift 5 - An Email and A Prayer

I received an email today from a classmate from high school.  She was letting me know that another classmate's father is undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma, and his treatements have been very difficult.  They have tried several types of treatment, but his body is just not responding well.  They are nearing the time when they have to say they have tried everything but his body has had enough. 

My gift today was to send an email to my classmate and let her know that I am thinking about her and praying for her father's health.  I also told her how much I admire her strength and positive attitude.  I can't say that she is a close friend, or that we were even close when we were in school together.  In fact, if I had to guess, I would say that I wasn't someone she even liked much.  Although I don't remember doing or saying anything offensive to her in our teen years, she may have perceived something in a different way.  I don't know.  And now, 20+ years later, I don't really care if she liked me or didn't like me when we were in high school.  What matters most now is that she is a human being who is hurting, and I wanted to do or say something that would hopefully help her hurt a little less. 

One of the things I like most about my high school alma mater, is that we had a very small class.  We knew each other well, knew each other's families, and are still connected all these years later through email, facebook, and periodic reunions.  I know that this particular classmate lost her mother to cancer 23 years ago this month.  I know that her sister was diagnosed with cancer several years ago, and fought herself into remission.  I know that my classmate is getting married soon, and would love to have her father there with her on that special day.

So I said a prayer to God today and asked Him to give strength to her father as he faces another round of chemotherapy.  I prayed that his daughter would find strength in her support of her father, and faith that his treatments will provide relief for them all.  And I said my prayer of gratitude, again, for the health of my own family.  I have no idea what the future holds for me, but I hope that I can face it with the strength and positive attitude that I have witnessed from this woman.