Fighting for every breath is one way to testify to the sacredness of life.
We have a young lady in our area, Lauren Hill, who is suffering from inoperable brain cancer. She was an excellent basketball player who went on scholarship to a smaller college, but was diagnosed as likely to die by Christmas. Her team, her coach, and her teammates wanted to give her that chance to play. She wanted to play, but she also wanted to strike a blow against brain cancer for future generations, even though she would not be here. She did get to play. She even scored a couple of times, even though she says we can experience her physical ability if we disorient ourselves by spinning around until dizzy and them making a move for the basket.
She was featured in print and other media, and her goal of reaching a million dollars for brain cancer research has been reached.
I can’t find the quote right now, but I read her saying the other day that her going on to the end sends a message. My memory says her point had to do with treasuring family, love, interests. Her decision was contrasted with the girl named Brittney who recently opted for suicide.
One chooses to fight. Another chooses to surrender.
Which sends the better message? I have no doubt. Fight.
‘Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.’
What a wonderful story, xzins. Lauren Hill is an inspiration.