Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Barbie, Belinda, and oh so many others!

Earlier today I had to fill out a form and the person that was taking the information had to ask my age.  I proudly told him 51.  You see I never mind sharing my age after seeing two of my friends die young. I have the blessing to still be here on this earth so telling my age is a joyful thing.  

Today would have been Barbie Vander Linden's 52nd birthday.  Barbie died in September of 2000. She turned 40 at MD Anderson while undergoing treatment for melanoma cancer.  
Belinda Berryman would have been 52 back on the 6th of October.  She died in the summer of 2004 from cancer.  

Obviously all the pink ribbons in October have brought much awareness to the breast cancer fight.  Of course this is great but let's remember throughout the year that all kinds of cancer take so many lives prematurely.  

Barbie was such a wonderful friend.  I still miss her so much. She could make me laugh and laugh. I remember one day after school was out she was going to take me home. She was driving her parents Plymouth.  Burr Hall was the hottest thing to her in his black Trans Am  Somehow we got into a "drag race"   going down Stone Road.  I remember closing my eyes when the speedometer went to 120 but the little plymouth sedan was no match Burr's fast sports car.  

Belinda and I lost touch with each other in our adult lives but as young girls we spent a lot of time together due to church activities, etc.  I remember one particular day not long after she had gotten her contacts.  We were in the bathroom forever trying to get them in. I decided then that I never wanted to wear contacts after seeing her work and cry and try so many times to get them in her eyes!  

The most recent loss to cancer was my beautiful Aunt Imogene.  She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last May and died the end of August.  She was a graceful woman that could have been the Proverbs 31 model.  

Still fighting cancer is Jim - Imogene's son-in-law, the wonderful husband to Jane, who also has had breast cancer and is now doing well.   I pray for him as he courageously battles his terminal condiation.

God Bless all of those who are battling cancer.  Maybe one day this terrible disease will be gone.