A Place We Call Our Second Home, Thank you so much

HeartofSoul
HeartofSoul Member Posts: 729 Member
edited March 2014 in Emotional Support #1
Most of us have a small inner circle people who are loyal and can be counted upon to be there for us once we get diagnosed with cancer. If were fortunate, our inner circle expands to more than our spouse, child, and parents. Once I step outside my door early in the morning to go to work, im amongst colleagues, strangers, acquaintances, and the general public. On the weekends the only thing that changes is that my co-workers are not in my presence.

Since being diagnosed with cancer over 2 and half years ago, I may have been more open about my diagnoses to others beyond the inner circle. Today I think hard and twice about telling anyone about my diagnoses and in fact there are 7 words I do not mention in public or on the phone because of how they are received by others who are not cancer survivors or caregivers. I’m sure you know the body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice of someone who hears the word cancer. First you see their eye lids stop blinking, then they grasp for words but fumble their way to a coherent sentence, and then pivot another direction in a hurried manner. Still others say the right things and appear to care but the next time you hear a "how are you" or see them at your front door is the day after forever. I find myself while in public avoiding 7 words that have the power to scatter people like an outbreak of a deadly flu virus. You ask what those 7 words are?
The first is Cancer, followed by chemotherapy, radiation, malignancy, tumor, metastasis and oncologist.

When I was writing this post to share with others here on CSN, my first thought was to show how cancer can infiltrate our lives, create distance with the world around us and sever the close bonds with those we once called our friends and loved ones. Then without any hesitation, my heart whispered to me in a comforting and reassuring manner. What did my heart say? My heart spoke by holding my hand as he walked beside me with purpose and grace. My heart then took the lead and I followed in his shadows as we walked until we came upon this charming community. This community had this humble but gracious reef of blooming, vibrant flowers as it was held high in the calm blue skies by thousands of supportive hands. Each pair of hands had a human being who softly sung a tune with lyrics that were so touching, I began to cry. At that moment, I realized what my Heart wanted to show me. The name of this community my heart led me to you ask? "CANCER SURVIVORS NETWORK" and all of its caring survivors and caregivers who call it their second home.

You want to know the name of the song and its precious lyrics that brought tears to my eyes? Its called "Somewhere" by Phil Collins

lyrics are below and the song done live is at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqfNi9BqH94

Lyrics
There's a place for us,
Somewhere a place for us.
Peace and quiet and open air
Wait for us
Somewhere.

There's a time for us,
Some day a time for us,
Time together with time spare,
Time to learn, time to care,
Some day!

Somewhere.
We'll find a new way of living,
We'll find a way of forgiving
Somewhere . . .

There's a place for us,
A time and place for us.
Hold my hand and we're halfway there.
Hold my hand and I'll take you there
Somehow,
Some day,
Somewhere!


Heart of Soul, Everybody, Thank you for being here from the bottom of my heart

Comments

  • zinniemay
    zinniemay Member Posts: 522
    I know you
    I know you, I met you in my heart you were the smile as we crossed paths along a lonely road. I know you ,I seen you with my heart open and the tears pour out ever so easly while you held my hand. I know you you are the shadow that knows where I am going and where I have been. You know they people who had said they loved me or cared as they closed the door. You are ever so present in my live we are forever bonded by the words we can no longer hear.
    In this world we are as much alike as we are different. Our fears or tears our joy our saddiness. We know each other If only right here.

    Thank you for your post as I teared I also found a heart of soul That read us like a book.

    Jennie
    ZinnieMay!
  • 3Mana
    3Mana Member Posts: 811
    zinniemay said:

    I know you
    I know you, I met you in my heart you were the smile as we crossed paths along a lonely road. I know you ,I seen you with my heart open and the tears pour out ever so easly while you held my hand. I know you you are the shadow that knows where I am going and where I have been. You know they people who had said they loved me or cared as they closed the door. You are ever so present in my live we are forever bonded by the words we can no longer hear.
    In this world we are as much alike as we are different. Our fears or tears our joy our saddiness. We know each other If only right here.

    Thank you for your post as I teared I also found a heart of soul That read us like a book.

    Jennie
    ZinnieMay!

    Love everyone on this web site
    You guys are great! It's funny how none of us have met, but yet we all feel so close to each other cause we've lost someone we love from cancer or else are fighting it.
    I can't believe the comfort I've felt by all the comments. It's so much easier talking to people who understand what each of us is going through.
    Thanks to all of you for being here! "Carole"
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    Thank You
    Hello Steve
    Thank you from the bottom of my heart for posting this and this wonderful, heartfelt song! This song reminds me of "Heaven". Always thinking of you and all of our friends on CSN. God bless us all.
    Tina in Va
  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member

    Thank You
    Hello Steve
    Thank you from the bottom of my heart for posting this and this wonderful, heartfelt song! This song reminds me of "Heaven". Always thinking of you and all of our friends on CSN. God bless us all.
    Tina in Va

    Makes me wonder...
    If when we meet in Heaven we will look at each other and say , "ah, there you are! I've been watching for you."

    Surely this bond will carry on to the next life. It is definitely unique.

    Hugs to everyone.
  • terato
    terato Member Posts: 375
    The CSN staff should be thanked for renovating this board
    from what is was when I first joined. At the time, it was very drab and did not attract many visitors. They really put a lot into this, making it a welcoming place to stop by every day, just to check into how everyone is doing.

    Thank you, CSN!

    Rick
  • damama24
    damama24 Member Posts: 174 Member

    Makes me wonder...
    If when we meet in Heaven we will look at each other and say , "ah, there you are! I've been watching for you."

    Surely this bond will carry on to the next life. It is definitely unique.

    Hugs to everyone.

    Hoping
    Noellesmom,
    Your post brought tears but in a good way. I truly hope that when we all meet in heaven the bonds forged here wil be just as strong there. When I finally pass from this world I pray to be able to find not only family but the many friends I've made here that have already made that journey. Blessing to you.
    Deb
  • congoody
    congoody Member Posts: 73
    Somewhere
    Heart of Soul.
    This has always been one of my favorite songs - thank you - this recording is beautiful - my first memories of it (and I may be just a tad older than you) are when I first heard it in West Side Story (music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Steven Sondheim) - one of my favorite musicals and adapted so well here by Phil Collins - Thank you for such wonderful memories brought into the present tense. - Connie.