Thorns Become Mentors
Do you wish something different for your child’s life other than what it is? Me too….But there is hope.
At 8 years old, I lived on the long stretch of road called Dry Branch in a small rural town of Churchville, VA. My young, divorced parents fostered the kid in me and organization in my mind came by way of imagination. I imagined the man I would marry and the healthy, joyful children I would mother. My creation of motherhood and the future was clear in both nighttime and daytime dreaming.
In time, I met my husband and we quickly started our family. We had the same vision for parenting from the get go and worked hard at it, which left us feeling accomplished in that arena. Our girls were healthy, respectful, compassionate, good listeners, and great givers. Life was working just as I had imagined.
Then BOOM--just like that an enemy from the dark side, called cancer, came out of nowhere. It had turned off its radar making it unnoticeable and decided to attack our little girl who was just discovering her bloom.
On impact, cancer forces you to find your unique way in a scary, messy and confronting crusade. You have to un-obsessively train your mind to look at the disease intimately. Your heart stretches and your faith grows in ways you didn’t dream of prior.
Even though the fight was brutal it taught us to explore layers of love, even God’s love, as well as our understanding of grace and unyielding sacrifice that were questionable before. Those are moments and memories that stick. It becomes a tormenting thorn in your side that becomes a faithful mentor.
Zoe had to walk with a label we didn’t imagine for her. I wish it hadn’t been so. Undoubtedly though, in our eyes, she won despite the label of cancer. I believe any parent would feel this way whether their child is fighting the battle of mental health, addiction, or bullying. Zoe’s war cry was quiet, noble, prayerful and life-giving to so many. Every time I read the Gospel of John I am reminded of Zoe. The label that tried to take her just became a label. We know that when people remember Zoe they may think of cancer, but more importantly they remember her playful, life-giving love.
