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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Autumn/Fall (08/27/09)
Jenny walked down the pebble-stone pathway through the Maple and Aspen trees of her backyard. Breathing the fresh air of the cool, crisp autumn morning, she hugged her sweater a little tighter and sat on the wooden bench by the pond. The ducks swimming blurred the reflection of the vivid colored trees on the still water. Jenny closed her eyes and thought back over the last few weeks.

“I don’t really feel sick. I’m just tired.” That is what she kept telling everyone. Her husband was concerned it might be the flu. He encouraged Jenny to see the doctor, since the swine flu virus was going around. So, Jenny made an appointment to make him happy. She never imaged she would spend three weeks in the hospital. It went from possible gallstones to the need to fight for her life in such a short time.

Her whole world was turned upside down when that dreaded “C” word was mentioned by the doctors. The whirlwind of emotions were unbelievable. Every time the physicians came into her room the news seemed to get worse. “I was just a little tired. How could I be battling stage 4 cancer and not have been sick?” The whole thing was like a very bad dream unfolding before her and she couldn’t wake up.

The reality of it all seemed to take its affect when the treatment plan was being laid out. The battle was just beginning. Jenny was scheduled for weekly chemo treatments over the next three months. Then more tests to figure out the next game plan.

The idea of losing all her hair wasn’t a pleasant thing to think about. But, the only thing that weighed heavily on her mind was her three little girls and her husband. How would they handle all of this? The girls were so young and needed her to take care of them. If she was sick all the time, that would be hard to do. Jenny was determined to remain positive for them. She prayed that the Lord would give her and her family the strength to endure and overcome this dreadful disease.

Jenny lifted her eyes and leaned back, enjoying the calmness around her. This was her favorite place to come and just be alone. She could talk to God and then be still and listen. Jenny had found a lot of answers over the years in this very spot. She definitely would be spending a lot more time here in the months to come.

The gentle breeze rustled through the trees sending red and yellow leaves floating to the ground. The leaves danced gently down to the ground creating a perfect picture in Jenny’s mind. Every leaf that hit the soil represented a problem or struggle rolling off her shoulders and landing at God’s feet. That was exactly what she needed to do with this disease.

A smile crept across her face as she stood up. “Okay, God, this cancer may be trying to take over my body, but it doesn’t have me. You have me tightly in your hand. I’m trusting you to take care of me and my family through this trial.” Jenny was so thankful that God was in control of everything.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Joy Faire Stewart
09/04/09
Very well written and touching story. I liked that Jenny had a special place to go, and the next to the last paragraph was especially beautiful.
Seema Bagai 
09/04/09
Beautifully written with a great message.
Lisa Johnson
09/08/09
Beautiful story . I tell my cancer patients to find a safe, comfortable place to go to when they need a respite from their disease. That place becomes so much better when you meet God there.