Pink

Pink, originally uploaded by kasia-aus.


There is a woman at my church who has breast cancer and is undergoing fairly aggressive treatment.    We have been praying for her over the last few weeks, since the diagnosis was made.  She has the most beautiful long chestnut hair, but the chemo is going to make her hair fall out.  As she has so much hair, this was going to be rather messy, so she decided to act first.  After church last Sunday, she asked a friend to cut and shave her beautiful crop of hair publicly and asked us to give money either to our church building fund or a charity of our choice.  A large number of us gathered with this brave woman while her hair was chopped.  
What emerged was a beautifully shaped head - in fact she radiated beauty.  One of those watching, was Steve, who lost his wife to cancer four years ago leaving him to raise their two little girls as a single Dad.  It was almost a time of celebration, as we prayed for her, as she undergoes months of horrible treatment.  Amazingly, five and a half thousand dollars was raised as collectively, we wanted to show this woman that she is not alone and that we walk with her.
This morning she arrived at church, newly shaved, her head uncovered and she looked beautiful.  She had a pink rose on her necklace and wore a soft pink scarf around her shoulders.  
Having walked with my Mum with breast cancer six years ago, she lost her hair also, and has been given the all clear every six months since, and more recently, my Mother-in-law who had radiotherapy treatment late last year,  I appreciated the opportunity to demonstrate in a practical way my support for this woman. 
I found this photo on flickr, and it captures how sometimes out of the bleakness of life, a surprise emerges, as we see people survive the difficult times they face - they are able to smile and walk bravely trusting that they have their God with them and they are not alone.