Taking a run on a hot day and ending up dripping with sweat, moving into your senior year house and getting ready to begin the best year of your college experience, or grabbing a handful of hair and smelling the shampoo from your previous shower…all of these things are things that I took for granted. Right now, I wish more than anything to have those opportunities back. Yes, I know that being able to live out the rest of my life is more important than the small things I miss but it doesn’t make sting from the loss any less easier to bear.
I’ve had a bad week full of resentment towards the people around me who get to undergo everything I am now missing out on, but it has given me a lot of time to reflect on what I can learn from the depression I feel…never take anything for granted. This is because you never know how lucky you are to come into contact with the little things in life. I never thought I would miss the ability to smell my hair or get gross and sweaty. However, I have learned that I need to appreciate the fact that I still get to experience things that some people never get the opportunity to experience themselves.
Cancer is Stupid 
Read your post and felt inspired to take a run. You were on my mind during most of the run. Just wanted you to know that you inspire me with your fight. My prayers are with you daily Katie.
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Hi Katie,
I think about what you write down alot. I search for things to identify with you so I can mentally try to walk in your steps and remove the idea your plight is not comprehensible to me. Your gift for writing is inspiring, and much more. Tonight the prayers I say will include you and your family as if I am able to will you to get whatever you wish in this fight. This response of mine may be stemming from my maternal instincts. I am telling you these things from my lens as a 48 year-old Catholic woman. This entire communication is challenging because we both know you really should not normally have to care about questions or thoughts of strange adults. It is definitely a result of this stupid cancer. But perhaps, having a voice as you do, and seeing it effect me as another human – lets you and everyone rest and breathe and get outside of that identity of cancer. I am confident you are rightly making lists and plans for living life as you choose. I want to encourage you to do those small things, such as planning out the fun in your future. Well I have to stop writing now as I travel passenger side to Cincinnat with my Eliot and will soon need to grab coffee at a gas station to start driving us back. So let me wish you sweet dreams this evening, as you rest and fight what ails you. I will continue to visualize or imagine you running sweaty…..and eating your favorite foods happily with genuine satisfaction. These details about the healthy you help me to focus on who you are and what you need from a caring stranger who wishes to help add to your small things list.
Keep writing, please! I will keep reading and praying. Your friend,
JoAnn Roth
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I love you my beautiful grand daughter, I think of you and your family through out the day. I look forward to what you will write about next, I can only imagine how hard it is to have your life on hold.. I am waiting to see what you will do when you are well. The world and opportunity will be yours, I know with the love and support plus all the people that only know you from your blog. We will always be waiting to see the next chapter in you life,, you are amazing, it is no wonder you have such incredible friends, and family.
PL&FC
Gma
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Sending a big hug from all the Fisks. Praying for you every day. Hang tough!
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Thank you for helping me appreciate the small things in my life. I thank God for you and still pray regularly for your healing and comfort. I’m proud of you. Big hug!
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Katie – I am grateful for your rich perspective and your reflect helps me to celebrate the small things that are so easy to overlook and take for granted.
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Jen wuz here 🐶
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