Full Circle

Spring is getting a "do-over". We have 6-8" of new snow outside this morning. Just another fine example of Minnesota weather. But it is only weather.

Yesterday I attended a visitation for Jack Reynolds. He died recently of brain cancer. Jack and his wife, Patty, along with Tom and Yvonne Sunnarborg, started Cancer Connections years ago. Yvonne was one of my first visitors when I had my first cancer back in '91. She is a breast cancer survivor. Jack survived Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Together these couples started a much needed support group to help the rest of us in our journey with cancer. They poured their hearts and souls into the group and kept it going for a long time. Sadly, but with complete understanding, the group has not been in existence for quite a few years. I am sure it took quite a toll on their own lives.

I remember Jack as always smiling and upbeat and fun to be around. He helped many of us so I was shocked and saddened to see his obituary in the paper the other day. I had no idea cancer had returned to his life.

In some ways this has been a tough winter. Jack's passing this week. Dann, a friend from school-also brain cancer and another friend of Jack's, died this winter.  Muriel's daughter Margie, had lung cancer last year and now she has been diagnosed with brain cancer. My sister-in-law, Judy, with breast cancer. And Sue, with colon cancer. It is getting to the point where we do not want to hear anything more unless it is good news. Who could blame us? The truth is, we have no choice.

When Karen and I lived in the tipi we learned the power of the circle. We experienced the old saying-"That what goes 'round comes 'round". Pain kept coming back around and around until we converted it to joy. Joy just kept going 'round and 'round by itself. A day like today with wet snow, or worse, rain, would not have been fun in the tipi. I do appreciate a hard roof over my head but I think Karen would agree that we both miss the tipi, miss living in the circle and power it contains.

Given what is happening to friends and loved ones lately I am beginning to wonder if Jack ever felt like he survived so he could help others. It makes me wonder about my own life and why I am alive. It makes me wonder if I am not coming full circle.

For the memory of Jack and Dann and the continued support for Judy, Sue and Margie-
Peace and love to you all,
Mike