Well folks....i have to say that yesterday was a wonderful day! I got to finally see a friend that i havent seen in 9 months. Her name is Christianne. She was diagnosed with cancer about a year ago. She has spent the past 9 months of this year over in Germany recieving a clinical trail of treatment that has has a very good success rate. I met her about two years ago in the town i am currently living in. She was a server at the local pub i seem to reside in after work probably too much. We fastly became friends and along with many other people that work there hung out and had way too much fun! She had kept her illness to herself at first and when it was time for her to recieve her treatment, thats when she let everyone know.
She left and began her rigorous and lonely treatment with only the strength and love for everyone around her all alone. During her treatment we of course wrote back and forth almost every day. Only to find out that this world we live in was one size smaller. As it turns out, i met her a very long time ago in my home town. She was living with her cousins. Her one cousin was best friends with my sister and they were inseperable. She vividly remembered my sister coming over and even remembered me and my dad dropping my sister off on the odd weekend! Needless to say...that was a surprise like no other!
The pub one day held a fundraiser for Christianne and donated all of their tip to her cause. I wasnt present so i phoned in and bought a random persons drink and left a rather large tip with my visa. Together in one day, they raised over $5000 for christianne. It was a selfless act that made everyone including her of course grin ear to ear!
So a week ago she came home to surprise friends and family with the best holiday season cheer imaginable. Healthy, strong, living and full of joy! I got to meet up with her for hot chocolate and give/recieve many of the biggest warmest hugs that im sure is possible! It wasnt the longest hagout and chat but very non-stop full of conversation. Obviously due to her circumstances she has been busy catching up with friends and family.
Christiannes fight touched the hearts and mind of many people. She has taught us that strength will give you goals and help you achieve them. That bravery will allow you to carry on even if you are by yourself accross the globe. And of course.love. love that you give relentlessly to others by being a caring human being will ultimately carry you on through life and help you along your way, no matter what journey you may embark on.
This holiday season, no matter what your beliefs are, remember that strength, bravery, compassion and love are basics of life that i believe are the building blocks of enjoying the holidays and the days that come theirafter.
I hope everyone has a great, fun and safe holiday season no matter what you are celebrating! :)
