Life is so short…so precious.

 I received a phone call a couple of weeks ago from a dear friend.  She told me that her mom’s cancer was back and this time, it was terminal.  I paused…sat there in silence for what seemed like an eternity….searching my mind for something to say…anything….any words that could possibly bring comfort to my friend….and all I came up with was, “I’m so sorry”.  

Not enough, I know…not nearly enough.

We spoke for quite a while.  I was amazed at how she tried comforting me by asking what was going on in my life.  I mean, what in the world could I possibly talk about that would not sound ridiculous and self-absorbed after hearing her news.  I’m sure that listening to me complain about having an over-booked calendar or my continuous battle over keeping up with the laundry was just what she needed, right?  After hearing about her mother, there was truly nothing I could say that didn’t seem shallow and trivial.  

She said something to me that struck me so deeply.  I will never forget her words when she said, “Sara, I prayed for the wrong thing the last time she got sick.  I prayed for just a little more time with her.  God answered my prayer.  Her cancer went into remission for 2 years before it came back.  Now I wish I would have prayed for more than just a ‘little more time’.”  

Wow!  Again, words failed me.  I felt chills down my spine.  In that moment, I felt the deepest, most sincere pain in the depths of my soul for her.  My entire body actually ached thinking about what it must feel like to wonder if what you prayed for was the right thing. ..to wonder if your prayers were actually answered, quite literally.  Well…I just cannot imagine what that feels like.  

She did say there is hope.  Her mom needs a stem cell transplant, but they have to pray they can find a donor.  I asked her how I could be tested to see if I’m a match, and it’s actually a simple blood test.  I asked her if she could be a potential match and the odds are very slim.  Her words struck me again when she said, “While I may not be a match for my mom, I cannot believe I have never even donated blood.  There could be a family out there, struggling as much as we are that I could be a match for, and I’ve never taken the time to do it.”

 She is right.  She is so right!  I too, have never even taken the time to donate blood.  What if it were my family desperately needing a donor and there were people out there who could save my mother’s life, but just didn’t take the time to be tested.  In that moment, I felt like a very small person.   

My heart is aching for her and her family.  I feel so inadequate as a friend because I am powerless.  My words and actions can do nothing to stop the inevitable pain and agony she is going through as she watches her mother pass away.   Both my husband and I are going to be tested, and you never know.  Even if we cannot be a miracle for my friend’s family, perhaps we can be the answer to someone else’s prayer.  

Again, its not enough…not nearly enough.  

 After hanging up with her, I cried.  I cried for a long time.  I hugged my children.  I told my husband how much I love him.  I called up my mother just to hear her sweet voice….and I prayed.  I prayed that while I am unable to offer true comfort to my friend in her time of need, I know that our good Lord can.  He can wrap His arms around this beautiful family and somehow see them through today and the devastating days that lie ahead.  

I ask all of you who read this to please do the same.  Consider donating blood, but if you can do nothing else…please pray.