A friend once wrote on her blog, “We are all broken.“ I have been thinking about this for a long time, even BEFORE we knew it was cancer. Yes, we are ALL broken: divorce, autism, stress, no job, illness, heart-break. You name it and someone you know has experienced it. “We are all broken.”
However, is it possible that being broken means a better story, a better life, a new beginning that is better than life before? Does that happen?
Last Monday, as I drove home from seeing Scott in the hospital, I noticed a tiny diamond dropped out of my wedding ring. I cried. What a terrible week to be without the token that reminds me of my tie to Scott. However, it kept scratching me, so I knew I had to send it home with step-dad, it was for the best.
Yes, it is just a THING, I get it. However, it is MY thing, MY reminder of MY husband, and MY emotions tied to it.
Shortly after our wedding, the same stone fell out of the ring. We took it back to our jewelry store, and they “fixed” it. I mean, they replaced the stone, but they did a TERRIBLE job. Why didn’t we take it back and complain? I don’t know. Heaven forbid, we complain about something we BOUGHT.
For almost 11 years, I loved my ring, but hated that one stone. The stone that made the ring less than perfect, but such is life. It really didn’t bother me that much, only when I thought about it. As life moves forward, there is little time to think about wedding rings.
Anyway, I spent last week without my ring and my husband. It was a tough week, but we got through it. Saturday morning, before I left to bring my husband home, my mom gave me my ring back.
It was fixed. It was perfect. It was shiny and new. It had been broken for years and years, scratched, and worn everyday. 4 days and $30 later, it was fixed. New. Perfect.
Days later, I wonder: Despite the fact that Cancer has broken Scott and our lives, is it possible that when he beats the odds and shocks the medical community, that we will be fixed and new? Yes, yes it is.
“We are all broken,” but sometimes, we also get fixed.
Beautiful post. Tears. I love this. And I’m so happy you got your ring back, all fixed!
<3
If I were in your situation, that loss of the stone would have pushed me over the edge. I’m glad your husband is home and that your ring is back, too. You must feel complete now, in more ways than one. Hugs to you.
A beautiful post. I came via Honest Mom sharing it on Twitter. Thinking of you.
Thank you for sharing your story. Many of us have been touched by cancer in some way, although the word “touched” doesn’t seem to do the situation justice. It’s more like “smacked in the head, punched in the gut, and getting your shins kicked” I think. To give you hope, both my father-in-law and mother-in-law have beaten cancer! And my father-in-law has twice now! The doctors can only work with statistics, and the best advice I heard while my dad was being treated was “YOU are not a statistic”.
You may have already heard of Kris Carr, but if not you should check her site out. She beat cancer and is living a full life and helping others. She wrote the book called “Crazy Sexy Cancer”.
Also, there is a beautiful video story I linked to on my blog about a woman who beat cancer, but is fighting it again. The photographer and videographer did such a beautiful job showing the real beauty of this woman. It’s very inspirational! http://www.karentaggartblog.com/2013/02/the-light-that-shines.html
Once last thing, there is a gentleman who asked to guest post on my blog recently about the heartbreak of taking care of a cancer patient. If you’d like, you can find it here: http://www.karentaggartblog.com/2013/02/the-heartbreak-of-caring-for-cancer.html
Sorry to ramble! I was just very touched by your story. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
Beautiful. Yes, what is broken can be fixed and better than ever. I have witnessed it. I have experienced it. Sometimes life has to break us down in order to rebuild us to a better state. My prayers are with you, as always.
I love your analogy. I tie people to things as well, so I understand your sadness and frustration about your ring. I will keep you and yours in my prayers that your husband will beat this.
Oh Courtney, you have got such a beautiful heart! I would ache over the loss of my ring too, esp. at a time like this. I am definitely believing in and praying for a complete and new restoration of your husband’s health. Keep clinging to that faith…
Gosh. I cried just looking at the picture of the ring. I believe in a God that heals. I know he healed me of my rheumatoid arthritis in just this short year. I had a doctor tell me a year ago I would never go in remission, but today I am.
I am praying for Scott’s healing. I am praying that your heart stays strong and hopeful and that your marriage just grows stronger. You are a testimony to so many people. We gladly pull up beside you and share in your pain, even though we can hardly comprehend it.
I hope that through your sweet voice your family gets showered with love and prayer from all corners of the earth. Maybe that’s why this blog is up here. Love to you, friend!