Resurrection.

You know what "they" say: the years are short and the days are long.

Has it already been ten months? It feels like time has been passing at the speed of forever, and yet, in the grand scheme of life, ten months is just a blip in time. But so much can happen in ten months. In that time, a human fetus forms, grows in utero, and is born as an adorable, life-breathing bundle of helplessness. In that time, couples plan weddings; families prepare funerals; people complete their final year of education. In ten months, a person could be single, married, divorced, childless, a parent, employed, unemployed, healthy, sick, living, dead... and the worst part is, sometimes you never knows what's going to happen to you and when it's going to happen until it's already here, and by then it might be too late.

But, I'm here to tell anyone who will listen that it is never too late.

Nothing is ever perfect or truly easy, and mistakes will be made regardless of how much you try to avoid them. But what makes life so amazing is that there are so many opportunities for second chances. (Even this blog is being resurrected for the sake of an update, so my point extends beyond human life.) And think of all the people rooting for you - even total strangers whom you've never met, who provide a source of comfort and support when you most need it. Kind of like a neighbor lending you sugar. I don't think it's really possible to "start fresh," per se, because so much has happened and it's hard to forget the trauma of it all. But, just because you shouldn't forget doesn't mean you should also give up.

Cancer is interesting because it's the only thing in this world that has a mutual hatred. A man might inexcusably still live by the teachings of Mein Kampf, for example, but cancer can take his mother, his son, his best friend, his own life away from him. A woman might have an irrational animosity toward someone else, but the moment the latter is diagnosed with cancer all of that "sworn enemy" hatred goes out the window. Because we might disagree about immigration or gun control, but everyone can acknowledge that cancer in its every form is the absolute worst. The very word is enough to cause fear, anger, hate, suffering (which, of course, leads to the dark side).

But in a world that seems bleak with school shootings and terrorist beheadings, my experience with cancer has continued to show me the resilience of the human spirit and the benevolence of humankind. It is what keeps me going when I find myself on the dark side, a beacon of light in a storm, and I thank you all for this amazing gift.

Those lemons may be sour as hell but they sure can make sweet lemonade. All you need is a little sugar, borrowed from your neighbor.

(Please forgive the slew of cliched metaphors - I'm in that kind of mood...)