Cancer is All Around Us
After losing my aunt to lung cancer in May 2006, I thought that the disease would give my family a respite. Unfortunately in the last couple of months, two more of my aunts (my dad’s sister-in-law and his youngest sister) have been struck and are battling stage 4 cancers. I am not particularly close to them, but from what little I’ve seen, they have been pretty stoic and brave in the face of this challenge. No matter which way you look at it though, the disease does affect the entire family and in particular, I worry about my dad.
He is very close to both women and loves them deeply. Although we have not talked that much about it, I can see that he has become rather subdue of late, which is totally understandable. As a daughter, I am trying my best to support him, although what can one really do under the current circumstances? Life is sometimes terribly unfair. Right now I will just spend as much time with him as possible and to keep him busy.
What has also upset me recently is the behaviour of my mum and sister towards him. It’s a long story which I won’t get into but in essence, they are unhappy because I’ve invited my dad’s partner to a party later on in the year. They also received an invitation from me, but chose to ignore it. It’s no secret that my parents had a terrible divorce and my dad has admitted he could have handled the split better.
It took me a long time to forgive him and to accept his partner. I too, blamed her for years and she and I have talked about this recently. I know that we all make choices in our youth, which we realize are foolish only when we reach our 30s and 40s. I’m really glad that I addressed the issue because I don’t want to live a life full of bitterness and anger. There is no point holding on to the past and there comes a point where you have to decide to move on. You can choose the path you walk and I'm glad I reconciled with my dad and his partner because they have really added so much to my life.
Right now, I would please ask that all of you pray for my family because I don’t know what else can be done. I honestly do not think we need any more reminders that life is short. We already know this!
He is very close to both women and loves them deeply. Although we have not talked that much about it, I can see that he has become rather subdue of late, which is totally understandable. As a daughter, I am trying my best to support him, although what can one really do under the current circumstances? Life is sometimes terribly unfair. Right now I will just spend as much time with him as possible and to keep him busy.
What has also upset me recently is the behaviour of my mum and sister towards him. It’s a long story which I won’t get into but in essence, they are unhappy because I’ve invited my dad’s partner to a party later on in the year. They also received an invitation from me, but chose to ignore it. It’s no secret that my parents had a terrible divorce and my dad has admitted he could have handled the split better.
It took me a long time to forgive him and to accept his partner. I too, blamed her for years and she and I have talked about this recently. I know that we all make choices in our youth, which we realize are foolish only when we reach our 30s and 40s. I’m really glad that I addressed the issue because I don’t want to live a life full of bitterness and anger. There is no point holding on to the past and there comes a point where you have to decide to move on. You can choose the path you walk and I'm glad I reconciled with my dad and his partner because they have really added so much to my life.
Right now, I would please ask that all of you pray for my family because I don’t know what else can be done. I honestly do not think we need any more reminders that life is short. We already know this!
posted by SG Babe | 10:25 AM
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