Melinda Marchiano

Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” 

― George Harrison

If I had to choose the most spectacular drive of our Make-A-Wish Hope Tour, it would also be the day of our longest drive. It would have to be our drive from Salt Lake City to the Grand Canyon, a fourteen-hour day on the road. We left Salt Lake City early in the morning, with Herbert The HopeMobile loaded down with our freshly cleaned clothes. Mom and I were excited– really, really excited to see what wonders of nature were waiting for us to explore!

Although Bryce Canyon was a bit out of our way, there was no way we could drive past the sign pointing to the side road without turning. Mom had been there with her family when she was a teenager, and she had told me about the spectacular beauty. As we climbed out of the car and headed up a hill for our first view of the canyon, I had no idea what awaited me on the crest of the hill. It took awhile to fully comprehend that what I was looking at was real!

Bryce Canyon on Make-A-Wish Hope Tour

I watched the teeny-tiny-sized people hiking in the canyon below and wished we had more time here. I felt teeny-tiny. I felt like the whole entire world was spread out before my eyes to behold. I felt blessed to be standing there looking at a sight that appeared way too special to be viewed by mere human eyes.

Can You Hear the Music?

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.” Nietzsche

A dear friend sent me this quote. I love it on so many levels that I don’t even know where to begin telling you how much I love it! Taken literally, it is a gorgeous way of explaining why dancers dance. Not only do dancers “hear the music,” but we need to dance when we hear it. Taken figuratively, this quote is a beautiful explanation for why there are growing numbers of people joining together to stop childhood cancer. They are people who “hear the music.” They are people who hear the call to “dance.” It makes no difference what type of “dance” they do, whether it is ballet, modern, lyrical, hip-hop, or jazz, as long as they “dance to the music.”

One extraordinary example of this is 46 Mommas. Someone with little or no understanding about the great need for childhood cancer research would look at these women who shave their heads to raise money for this cause and think that they were “quite insane.” Those who “hear the music” know that these women are not only much more deeply connected to it than the rest of us, but they are “dancing” as gracefully as they can to “the music.” These women who have a very personal connection to childhood cancer also have a clear understanding of the great need for swift, strong action. Their selfless “dance” — raising money by shaving their heads– helps those who are currently “deaf” to hear. It turns The Unaware into The Aware. Thank you to all of the “Mommas,” and to one “Sister,” Leah Mireles, for Shaving for the Brave and for raising money for St. Baldrick’s and childhood cancer research!

Road to the Grand Canyon

The Glory of Nature on the Hope Tour