Yea Though I Walk ...

In May of 2012, John and I began a journey we didn’t want to take.  It involved the word cancer … in John’s body.  We gave the journey to God. The first two years were a roller coaster of good days, bad days, chemo, radiation and choices regarding medications.  It’s a tough situation to be given the option of a drug that will prolong your life … but costs $12,000 a month.  

We didn’t go there.  

That last year things changed.  He became unsteady on his feet, falling repeatedly. His energy depleted to the point he could no longer work.  He said, “Somebody pulled my plug.”  Food tasted like cardboard.  With his strength gone, he sold his motorcycle and then his car.  

I watched as he diminished day by day, but from the day of his diagnosis to the end, we had unexplainable peace.  He completed his journey in May of 2015.  

And now … I’m on that journey again.  Only this time it is our dog, Charlie.  

In October 2018, Charlie had a groomer appointment. It was unusual to get a phone call from her while Charlie was still there.  They had discovered a minute discharge from his rectum.  Perhaps it needed to be looked at.  The vet worked him in after hours that same day.  

He had a tumor.  

November 1^st a biopsy was performed.  November 12^th, we received the diagnosis. Once again, I was dealing with cancer. Charlie was given two months.  

There are many parallels in these journeys.  As Charlie diminishes, I have memories of John. I have struggled … and my comfort has been food.  I had no peace.  Two nights ago, I sat by Charlie on the floor.  He hadn’t eaten in two days.  All he did was lay there … the tail not even wagging.  

That’s when I gave the situation to God.  I would do for Charlie what I could to keep him comfortable and feel loved.  The rest was not up to me.  For the first time since this journey began, I had peace.  

But there’s more.  

Someday it will be me on that journey.  As I sat there on the floor, I gave that journey to God too.  Just as He provided a strong support group for John, He will for me. It’s a journey we all have to take.  

We can have peace then too.  

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (ASV)