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Cancer Taught Me that Family Matters Most

After treatment for colorectal cancer, I wrote this poem to my children because I wasn't sure how much time I had left.

Image of a paper folded family in a person's hands.

YOU

When You were born, time stood still.

How blessed we were to have this little miracle enter our lives.

Small, pink and fragile, could we do a good job? Would God give us the will?

But we learned more from You every day. You helped us to understand that life is all about love. Your smiles, energy and happy nature showed us the way.

You brought joy into our lives more ways than one can tell. Thank You for helping us to understand that life is an adventure and that we must laugh at ourselves as well.

When You were born, time stood still. The angels sang, and we will forever rejoice in God’s gift to us of You.

Love, Mom

I am a stage four colorectal cancer survivor, diagnosed in 2004. After finishing surgeries, chemo and radiation, that Christmas I wrote this poem to my children. At that time, my children were 20, 17 and 10 years old. My husband had died three years previously of a Gliobastoma and we were all alone. I wasn’t sure how much time I had left (doctors had indicated I most likely had about two years), but I desperately wanted them to know how very important they were to me.

As God would have it, he had other plans for me and while the road to cancer survivorship is not an easy one, I’m forever thankful for the time I’ve had with my family. Cancer has made me realize all that is truly important in life, and that’s “You”!

This post was written and submitted by Elizabeth Lazration. The article reflects the views of Lazration and not of CURE®. This is also not supposed to be intended as medical advice.

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