Kids in the Hall

Well my kids were in the halls of the Cancer Lodge this last weekend, and I think everyone really enjoyed having them around.
For the older folks the two younger boys were like bringing puppies into a retirement complex. Coleman and Hannah were much admired and Coleman was very impressive with the way he could really slam those pool balls into their pockets with such confidence in the common room. Hannah with her quiet grace simply was just that.
Thank you Lynn for bringing everyone together for the weekend.
Within the Lodge there is a special room called the listening room. There's a large water feature that quietly trickles in the corner and the furnishings are simple, the room soft and spacious. While Joanne and I had the whole family together (along with and thanks to our wonderful Lynn) we thought it would be a good time to circle up in the Listening Room and give everyone a chance to express what they were feeling.
With the lights dimmed I took Joanne's stringy silk scarf and we all knelt around it; just close enough to touch. I started speaking to my kids telling them about my disease and that I was strong and I would never give up on them. Looking at each person I told them how I loved them and I would always be strong for them.
when we took turns talking we would creep a little closer to each other in the circle, and after each person spoke I would take their hands and we would put our foreheads together and cry a little, tears falling on Joanne's scarf. While My head was against each of my children's heads I would tell them how strong and beautiful they were and that I was going to be O.K.
After everyone had spoken all of our knees were touching and we all put our heads together, leaning over the cloth and it formed this small human shelter over the piece of fabric that had been catching out tears. I talked about it being like a house and how as a family we would always form a strong house.
Louis then banged a gong to clear the air and Lynn chanted Om, Tare, tu Tare, tura so ha which is a healing chant. We all joined in and repeated it many times.

Everyone felt much better, and we each took turns cutting pieces of the crying scarf to keep as medicine.
A thread came off Sef's piece of scarf soon after he cut it and he tossed it over the balcony into the wind. He said he gave a little prayer with it as it fell to the ground. As it should be : with every thread lost to the wind goes a prayer that our family, heads and spirits together, backs forming the frame of our little house, will weather this storm and many others after.

I'm very proud of my family for the bravery and love they showed that day.
Joanne has lots of scarf left for anyone who would like a piece

anyone interested in donating bone marrow could check out
www.onematch.ca
thanks.