Her name is Luann.
When I first saw her walk into the room, she scared me. Not because she was imposing, or ugly, or dangerous. She scared me because she represented something to me that I often want to avoid. She represented reality…the reality that life is short. And hard.
I was at the fundraiser because I had been asked to emcee the evening. While I was amazed at the strength and vision of those who invited me, I was still secretly hoping to keep my distance from the people this foundation served. It was too painful, and difficult….too real.
Then, of course, Luann sat at my table for dinner, and what I found was a delightfully strong woman. A woman full of hope, humor and poise. A woman who, despite her head scarf and weary gate, was beautiful and full of life. Her joyful, gracious, fighting spirit humbled me, and it made me wish I had sought her out before she sat at our table.
During this, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am so grateful that I had the privilege of getting to know Luann….if only for an evening. The fact that her prognosis is good buoys my spirit, but it’s the memory of her character that inspires me to have hope, and to help those deeply in need of a laugh and a prayer.
I was right….life IS short. And hard. And worth it.
Her name is Luann.
If you’d like more info on groups that do a great job working with cancer patients, check out the links below:
Fairhaven Foundation
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
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