An Obstacle That Can Be Overcome

More so than any time since John's original diagnosis, I feel a great sense of hope and optimism this morning. Hearing words from Karen yesterday like "primary brain tumor" and words from oncologist Dr. Einspahr like "this is an obstacle we can be overcome" have made a difference. We all have been changed by the events of the last four weeks.

Of course there is much uncertainty ahead, and we anxiously await the results of further testing and the meeting of the treatment team on Tuesday.

It is inevitable that faith enters the picture at times like these. Our family is largely composed of Presbyterians and Catholics, with a bit of Lutheran, Jewish, and Methodist traditions mixed in. In fact, there is a long line of Presbyterians in the Tiffany/French family. Martha and I are Presbyterians and raised our children as such. John, an active Presbyterian, likes to refer to we Presbys as the "frozen chosen". It's true that we are not pushy with our religion; we value reason, and we rely heavily upon grace. We are largely inclusive and accepting of all earnest spiritual paths, as we believe that God dwells in the hearts of all. We try to convey to those around us that we are people of God through our actions, not through proselytizing.

Enough about Presbys. Like Job, we all are wrestling with the big questions these days. Why, why, why? Cancer really sucks, doesn't it?

My point is this: I believe that God has been present in the hearts, hands, laughs, tears, hugs, and love that have been freely expressed within this remarkable family, whose closeness has been forged by adversity since the tragic loss of their mother back when John, George, Martha, Bob, and Mary Anne were all children.

God must have been present, guiding the skilled hand of Dr. Wills and all the skilled workers at Stormont Vail, because John bounced back from two surgeries in record time with no further damage to his brain.

The divine is near and in John as he continues to win over even the most skeptical, and to make new friends along the way. And most obviously of all, God has been present in the indomitable will and courage of John, and he has been a model of faith to all of us. It's an honor and a privilege to witness this.

Sure, we all continue to wrestle, but in these tough times, we cling to our faith. It has carried us this far.

Thanks to all of you on John's team for surrounding him and the rest of us in your thoughts and prayers.

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." -St. Francis of Assisi