Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery
“The whole of life is but a moment of time. It is our duty, therefore, to use it, not to misuse it.”
~Plutarch
This quote has extra special meaning to me right now, as I squeeze every drop of time from each day. I love knowing that “the whole of life” is “but a moment of time.” If we could see our lives as a whole more often, I believe mankind would include many more people of action. Something about the pace of our lives makes us view it all too often through the Zoom In Button. We see the teeny-tiny picture, but have no clue where it fits into the great scope of life.
When we hit the Zoom Out Button, the Grand Scope of Humanity comes into focus. We are able to see past the dirty laundry pile, into the external world that is calling for our help. From that external world is where I hear children’s voices calling to me. When I look to see who is calling, I hesitate knowing there is someone in need. Will I be able to help? What if the problem is way too big for me to handle? What if I allow this calling to change me? What if try my best to make a difference and fail?
“The fact is, that to do anything in the world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and shaking at the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can.
~Robert Cushing
Action. What we need in order to stop childhood cancer is action. We need not be concerned about what is the right way or wrong way—just to make a way. I agree with Robert Cushing; it’s okay if we “jump in and scramble through as well as we can.” Even though finding a cure for cancer seems like an enormous and out-of-reach goal, we all better jump in and start “swimming” toward the goal of raising money for research that will lead to a cure.
Oh yes, there will be those who shake their heads and wonder why you would ever “waste your time” working toward a goal that is unattainable. There will be those who wonder why you have chosen what you have chosen to do to be of help. There will be those who scoff and snort and mumble when they see you working hard for a cause.
“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
~Albert Einstein
But then…
There are people who dream big and work hard to create reality out of their vision. May I please introduce you to someone I learned of this past week?
The Andrea Rizzo Foundation (@DreasDream on Twitter)
http://www.takepart.com/photos/exclusive-carrie-ann-inaba-use-her-dance-skills-inspire-kids-cancer
Andreas dream and spirit live on through the joy children receive from this foundation.
I leave you with two opportunities for Childhood Cancer Advocacy with only a click…
Yes, if you click, it means you are a person of action!
Journey for a Cure— Ipads to cancer kids in the hospital
Wet Will-E Water Balloons on Facebook
Please like this page and type “Isaiah Alonso Foundation Please!”
https://www.facebook.com/wetwillewaterballoons
Each one of us needs to become a person of action. If we recognize our lives as the gifts that they truly are, we become people who use, rather than misuse, our lives.
Life really is one breath away from death.
Thank you Anna! I agree!
Melinda Marchiano 
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