Why we Choose Joy.
I want to preface this post by saying this is the perspective from our dad while our mom, his wife, was diagnosed with breast cancer back in the year 2000. We wanted him to share his thoughts and the perspecitve they had together while they went through the 5 1/2 year journey together in hopes it will bring some light to those who are struggling and going through any hardship. đź’•
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A few words from our Dad.
”Yesterday as I went to the post office to send Flybird Apparel’s “Chemo Comfort Kits” my mind went back to November, 2000 when it had been just a week since my wife had been diagnosed with breast cancer, October 31, 2000.
At that time, she and I had six children ages 2-12 and I was in the middle of my masters program and had a fantastic job. When I received the call from Margot all I could think of was her and the children and what would be the future of our family as we knew it. We had more questions than a wise man could answer which of course meant the only person who knew our future was God. Our world, or better said, the “world” for each child, Margot and me was about to change from what we all had envisioned our lives being. Margot’s and my “plan” for our lives was honorable, happy and what we thought would be the best for our children. Our first responses were naturally, “How did this happen and why did this happen now?” We were “rolling” as a family. Eventually faith overcomes fear and we adopted the attitude of “Why not us?” We will choose our attitude, choose to be happy and press on, come what may.
As I read my journal entries from this time I was happy to see how much I had documented all of the support that flooded our home. Margot received daily calls from family in Spain. All of my family (12 siblings) rallied to support us. Friends and neighbors from our church immediately stepped in to support each one of us. Margot commented that, “I am so grateful for the incredible and immediate support from family and friends here and in Spain.” She said that she was reading about Jesus’ last days on earth and was feeling so blessed. She said that during Jesus’s final days on earth, when he needed the support of friends and family the most, he was left alone. She was not feeling alone and her gratitude for Christ’s courage and love sustained her. Alone, Jesus had to suffer life’s injustices and pains. He asked for support and help in his final days but “help” was either not permitted, was tired or otherwise unavailable. Knowing what he had to do, but not fully realizing the extent of the suffering and depth of loneliness he would feel, must have been tremendous. These are familiar feelings in those affected by cancer. It is no wonder that Christ can and does understand and know how to succor those who suffer and wrestle with this disease. We know He does, because He helped us directly and through the hands and hearts of family friends who came to our need in our time of trial. We knew He was mindful of us as we felt his love through our family and friends.
We at Flybird want to recognize the family and friends who requested the Chemo Comfort Kits on behalf of their loved ones. We thank all in our Flybird family who supported this effort and helped bring some happiness, support and comfort to those suffering with cancer and particularly are receiving chemotherapy at this time in their treatment. Those kits will begin arriving to your friends today.
We wish all of you health and God’s continued, tender mercies in your lives.” -Mark Safsten
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