Fellow Travelers
Fellow Travelers
A few years ago, when I was diagnosed with cancer, I made the decision to have surgery at M.D. Anderson in Houston knowing that there would be follow-ups from the surgery and check-ups twice a year for five years. Making this decision, however, turned out to be the most humbling experience of my life.
From my first visit to the last one five years later, I witnessed hundreds of people who had traveled from all over the world seeking a cure for their cancer. Seeing waiting rooms filled daily with teenagers, young adults, middle age adults and senior citizens was heartbreaking. At the hotel adjacent to the hospital, there was a constant flow of bellmen unloading cars and vans with multiple suitcases, personal belongings and groceries for many patients who came prepared to stay for months if needed.
Watching all of these patients and their caregivers praying to get through one more day made me think about how alike we really are. We may look different, speak different languages and have different beliefs but we suffer the same. My hope for this Advent season and beyond is that we pray for those who are different from us and show compassion for all people.