tipping point

early in september

i visited my new favorite bakery

the person who worked there

was so nice and friendly.

"what are you going to do today?"

he asked, casually..

i explained that our daughter was

at DeVos getting treatments

for cancer.

his face fell,

"i will certainly

say a prayer for her."

"thank you,

it really isn't as awful as

one would imagine.

it is actually

going to be okay."

i said as i left the bakery.

i walked back towards

the hospital,

buoyed by

cheerful interactions,

a newfound bakery

and anticipation

of the yummy treats

in my bag.

i reflected that life is

fragile, yet beautiful.

i gave thanks

to God

for allowing me

to be a part of it all.

it is funny how

perspective can change.

this past week

someone asked how it was going.

"it's hard."

i said.

we all have our

tipping points.

whether we are

experiencing something

life shattering

or just a hard day,

we never really know

what will push us

past the tipping point.

it could be anything,

a few sleepless nights,

deadlines at work,

a weird interaction,

bad news...

i think for me,

the hospital stay

was a tipping point.

it moved me from

"it's really okay."

to

"it's really hard."

from prior experience

i know that

life will get better.

it always does.

but i have a choice

of what to do

until it does

get better.

i can look

at chloe

and see

the dark circles under her eyes,

the wisps of hair on her head,

the crabbiness that comes

with fighting against this illness.

i can look

at chloe

and see

cancer.

or,

i can look

at chloe

and see

a resilient spirit,

a little fighter,

a survivor.

i can look

at chloe

and see

a gift

from God.