A haibun
A WordPress friend informed me last night that she has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which has spread. Her oncologist will give her a surgery date on Tuesday. Subsequent treatment (chemo, radiation, etc.) will be determined after the surgery.
She is in a state of fear and disbelief, and as she wrote to me, she is “working on getting her ducks in a row before Tuesday’s doctor visit.”
She is, of course, as I wrote to her, at the forefront of my thoughts.
Beyond my concern for her, I’m left feeling humbled that she would think to contact me personally with such personal information. Who am I to her beyond a bodiless blogger on the other side of the world?
Friends – don’t ever deem online interactions lesser.
workweek upon me
unexpectedly warm morn
autumn chill delayed
Let’s write poetry together!
When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.
–Ben Harper (b. 1969)
Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!
The Skeptic's Kaddish ๐ฎ๐ฑ 
I wish your friend speedy and complete recovery, David.
๐๐๐ป Dolly ๐๐ป๐
What a testament of your kind and caring heart David. My prayers and healing are with her!! โฃ๏ธ
๐๐๐ป Cindy ๐๐ป๐
๐๐๐๐ผ
Sad news. It does however highlight the connections we make online. We form communities, partnerships, friendship and chosen family. I dare say that most of my WP friends know me better than the people I rub shoulders with daily…
๐ค๐๐ป Muri ๐๐ป๐ค
During the hardest, darkest times of my life? My bloggy pal community here, checked in on me and/or heard my heart, more often than any in my immediate world felt necessary to do or even thought about – it’s why, after all these years, no matter how long I may stumble in posting or reading/commenting – no matter how often bloggy pals I have known and love pass away, or go away – or leave to new adventures??
Here, really, no matter how long, or hard, I try to ‘truly see the ‘community’ in other social media landscapes I’m invited to/am back up for clients on, etc.?’
Here, always, is my ‘true, bloggy pal’ home – for better or worse – in sickness and in health….etc., etc.. ๐ Prayers added to my list, for your friend.
๐ค๐๐ป thanks, Tamrah Jo ๐๐ป๐ค
I pray that all goes well.
โค๏ธ๐๐ป Brandon ๐๐ปโค๏ธ
Wishing your friend a successful surgery and quick recovery, David! โค
๐๐๐ป Cheryl ๐๐ป๐
All the best to you and your friend. You are in my thoughts.
๐๐๐ป Mat ๐๐ป๐
๐
๐ค๐๐ป Navin ๐๐ป๐ค
thanks for sharing, David. I am reminded of a short story by Jostein Gaarder (otherwise known as author of the most-unread bestseller Sophie’s World) Diagnosis – not easy to get hold of but worth a try: How one woman deals with her cancer diagnosis…
https://osloliteraryagency.no/book/the-diagnosis/
Best wishes,
๐๐๐ป Barbara ๐๐ป๐
a very powerful story indee ๐ค๐คฉd
๐ค
You can often learn more about people through their creations than from actual interactions, so Iโm not surprised she considers you a friend. Iโve often thought I should get those ducks in a row myself before something happensโฆbecause, really, you never know what tomorrow will bring.
Sending good wishes. (K)
๐๐๐ป Kerfe ๐๐ป๐
I wish her well. May she recover and get over this difficult period of her life. Online connections can be the most enduring. It depends on the spirit behind them. Thank you for sharing this, David.
๐๐๐ป Terveen ๐๐ป๐