Embracing Paradox

Thalia gazed through the window at a steady, cold rain. She was glad that Typist made time to pause and bask in yesterday’s sunshine. “Is it funny?”

“Is what funny?” Calliope asked.

“That Typist, her nurses, her friends, and her readers felt so much joy in yesterday’s infusion green light?” Tal replied. “Yes! You may have the life-saving poison."

Urania shifted her weight from one buttock to the other. “If somebody had told us we would experience wonder and joy through C when Typist was diagnosed, we would have had a hard time believing — fear held the upper hand.”

“You’re right,” said Cal. “After the initial shock though, we were able to pause and look for hearts among the drops — love can tango with fear and take the lead.”

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A word from Typist:

I needed a neutrophil count over 1000 to receive treatment.
I pole-vaulted 1000, sticking a solid 1007.
Not stellar, but I’ll take it!
My platelets are also back to ready-block levels.

A friend often says our experiences are neutral until we assign meaning.
”Everything can be this; everything can be that.” Chang Tzu
I have faith that C is my current obstacle — the way to whatever comes next.

Faith
Faith lives in the same apartment building as Doubt. When faith was out of town visiting her uncle in the hospital, Doubt fed the cat and watered the asparagus fern. Faith is comfortable with Doubt because she grew up with him. Their mothers are cousins. Faith is not dogmatic about her beliefs like some of her relatives. Her friends fear that Faith is a bit stupid. They whisper that she is naive and she depends on Doubt to protect her from the meanness of life. In fact, it is the other way around. It is Faith who protects Doubt from Cynicism.
~J. Ruth Gendler Excerpt from The Book of Qualities