As a victim of a poor memory, I remember only flashes of our first weeks in the hospital. Visits, conversations, tears, rooms, tests, scans – they all run together in my cloudy mind. There is, however, one event I recall with perfect clarity.
He texted to ask if it was okay if he stopped in on his way home from work. I wasn’t sure we needed a visitor, but Kylie agreed. Freshly diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, we were in the pediatric cancer wing where Kylie had begun her first round of chemo. By the time he arrived, our patient was sleeping and I got up to greet him quietly. I remember he put his backpack against the wall and opened his arms to hug me.
I am not a hugger…
This is weird…
He’s here for Kylie, not me…
Do I hafta??? Why????
I’m okay, I don’t need this…
Not a word was spoken and I promptly fell apart in his embrace. I cried like I had never cried in my life. He just held on for the ride.
* * *
What my friend Steve gave me that day was the very essence of what to say when there is nothing to say:
Love
Love is all there is. It can speak volumes without an audible syllable. It can be felt in a quiet room where words aren’t welcome. It might be simplistic, but love is all that can break through the hard shell of pain and fear after a parent has heard the dreadful phrase, “your child has cancer.”
Let me say again, there are no magic words that instantly sooth, but here are some things that resonated with me when Kylie was first diagnosed:
1. An expression of regret – “This really sucks” (or “stinks” for the less crass. But I assure you, it does suck!)
2. A profession of love and friendship. How do you say that? Um… “I love you.” For those uncomfortable with the ever-personal “I”, you can always lean on the family crutch for support and say, “We love you guys.”
3. Presence. “I’m here.” There are few positives in having a child with cancer, but one is that your calls rarely go to voicemail. Availability can be sensed. I knew very little in those traumatic first weeks, but I knew who was there for me, and I called on them when needed.
4. A promise of endurance. There is a long road ahead of the family. Like anything, many people with good intentions begin the fight full of fervor but life gets in the way. No judgments here, I get that. A promise such as, “I am here today, tomorrow, and in six months,” means a lot when given sincerely.
5. A specific offer of assistance. Sometimes, this isn’t even verbal. If you see a need, meet it.
- We once came home to find a huge painted pot full of yellow flowers on our porch.
- Sometimes our lawn just got mowed.
- A woman who bakes incredible cookies would just stash dozens in our mailbox without a word.
- Friends organized meal calendars, ballet rides, and school carpools for our other daughters.
This is the action side of love. Love does! Love molds unique talents into lavish gifts. Doing love doesn’t have to be grandiose or expensive and is often best when anonymous.
6. An assurance of prayer and/or positive thoughts. To know that my little girl was on the forefront of people’s minds was huge. Knowing that children included Kylie in their nightly bedtime prayers was humbling – especially when my prayers couldn’t get past a groan and balled fist.
Nobody knows what to say to the parents of a child diagnosed with cancer. We didn’t know what to say or what we wanted to hear – it was uncharted territory we’d rather not have explored. I assure you we were glad to not be travelling alone. If you have friends who find themselves on this heartbreaking voyage, I would urge you not to be afraid to approach them. Just step out in love, the right words will come. You might start with a silent hug. Even the bristliest of us cancer parents could use a hug from time to time.
A Generous Helping 
Hugs are good! Hugs are our friend! Virtual hugs to you and the fam 🙂
I am coming around to them. 😉
Mark your memories and heart touched mine.
Peace my friend
Thank you. And peace to you.
this is perfect. and hugs to all of your from afar.
Thank you, virtual hugs are great!
Thank you.
Love is all!
Love this Mark, thanks so much for sharing. Great advise as always. Sending prayers and hugs.
Thank you Jill.
Thank you for this open and sweet message. It helps those of us who so want to”Help.”
God Bless you and your family. Hugs for all.
Thank you, Rachel. There are ways to help, it all revolves around love.
Reblogged this on B is for Blessed! and commented:
Mark’s words here demonstrate here how we can bless those dealing with a serious illness or facing other trials when words are just inadequate. I rarely reblog but felt compelled to share this.
B a Blessing…
Hugs from South Florida
Hugs back to you… Thanks
This is beautiful Mark. I truly enjoyed reading it.
🙂
Thank you, Staci. That means a lot to me…
🙂
God has not only been comforting you during your time of grief – he has been showing you many things as well – this is a blessing to us all! 🙂
(( hugs ))
Thank you Susan.
Reblogged this on Simply Emerging and commented:
This is a great piece that really speaks to my experience as well. When in doubt, just love.
The heart of the matter is that it is the heart that matters. Many hugs and prayers from afar. And they do matter.
Art
Thank you, Art. I’ll take them!
The heart of the matter is that it is the heart that matters. Many hugs and prayers from afar. And they do matter.
Art
Mark, I love you guys. :
I love you too, Man. Looking forward to seeing you soon somewhere.
This is perfect. Love! I remember vividly walking past Kylie’s room on the AFlac floor and thinking “this is a new diagnosis”. I quietly observed as you all welcome guests and my heart hurt. We were kind of in a groove just in for a long scheduled chemo. It’s hard being there seeing these events and knowing the pain. One time I went into the parents lounge and a mom was on her phone just crying. Another new diagnosis. I didn’t hesitant I walked right over and asked if I could give her a hug. I held her in silence and she cried. I never saw her again. It was an unspoken understanding of love and support. It’s what we all need. Don’t ask me how I’m doing or what you can do. I will probably lie.
silent hug….vw
Thank you. I’ll take it.
This is a great post! Thank you so much for sharing
Thank you for reading it Derek
I know I read this before because I liked it. But it is amazing how our lives are touched by your story. I just lost a dear friend to cancer and her husband asked me to write something, to read at her memorial. I can write but I don’t know about reading it…. but I found this as an inspiration. Even though she was one of my best friends, I can’t imagine what to write. I have no words that could ever do her spirit and character justice. But I feel so wrong to be in the same company as a parent who has lost a child and think that I am feeling sad enough to be here. I just HATE cancer!! For your Kylie, for you and your family and for my friend and her family!