March 15, 2016, marked our family’s two-year anniversary since our son’s cancer diagnosis.  When I play through the last two years in my mind, I don’t know what I would have done, had a variety of women not stepped up and filled a need I didn’t even realize needed filling at the time.  Each of the women who have been there for me along the way have played a specific role in helping me, the caregiver, feel less isolated, overwhelmed and alone.

I believe God knows our needs, even before we do, and uses willing hearts as one way to minister to people who are struggling.  Everyday, I am grateful for all the special people He has placed in my life.  This blog post is the first of many because I plan to highlight the different types of people who have made our road a little easier.  Life is better when we connect, support and show love to others. By discussing the different types of friendships God has blessed me with throughout our family’s battle with cancer, I hope others will be inspired to offer their sincere friendship to someone in need.

EVERYONE NEEDS A SISTER.

I have one sister. Her name is Amanda. She was my first friend.  Today, I consider her my best friend.  She is 3 years younger, but 3-4 inches taller than I. She has beautiful red hair, yet mine is brown. Growing up, I was always walking on my hands, cartwheeling and hand springing around.  Amanda was always singing, dancing and acting.  I’m the mother-hen and she’s the free spirit.  She’s for the Cubs and I’m for the Cardinals (baseball).  It would be safe to say we are different in many ways.

Despite the teasing, childhood bickering and our differing views growing up, I’ve always loved her.  However, I’ve never appreciated her more than I have over the past couple of years.  God knew what He was doing when He placed her in our family and I am ever so thankful for her.

When we received my son’s diagnosis, she was one of the first to arrive at the hospital, but she was also one of the first to leave.  She left because she realized I would need to pack before the night was over.  We would travel to Tennessee the next morning in order to start treatment.  She went to my house and started doing laundry.  I didn’t ask her to, but she found a need and filled it.

One family member tried to be with us at all times during the first 6 weeks of treatment.  Amanda took time off of work and made the 5 hour trip with my nephew (my son’s best buddy).  They stayed for a week to keep us company, help out as needed and offer moral support.  She helped cook, clean, do laundry–you name it.

This amazing sister of mine lives almost an hour away.  Since we’ve been home from Tennessee, she has come to our house a few times to stay with the kids and allow my husband and I to go on a date.  She’s also taken the kids to her house so they could play and spend the night, giving my husband and I a break.  I don’t recall asking her to, but she saw a need and filled it.

Many times, the sibling of the critically ill child feels left out or not as important.  We’ve tried our hardest to not let this happen, but the duties of caregiver can be very stressful and time consuming.  More recently, Amanda has been very supportive of our daughter, her niece.  She’s made time to attend basketball games, auditions for community theatre, as well as many other activities.

As you can tell, my sister holds a special place in my heart and always will.  Even though distance sometimes prevents us from seeing each other frequently, I know without a doubt she’s only a phone call away.  If I truly needed her help, she would be there within the hour.

If you’re dealing with a difficult situation right now, I hope you either have a sister or someone like a sister in your life you can reach out to and count on. If not, I’d encourage you to be on the look out for a kind-hearted, genuine soul. Those gems are out there, I promise!  On the other hand, if you know of someone dealing with a difficult situation right now, I can tell you from experience they need you.  I would encourage you not to wait for them to tell you they need you because chances are they don’t even know what they need.  Not sure what to do?  Follow Amanda’s example…just find a need and fill it.  No doubt, it will speak volumes to the person struggling.

Talk to you later, my friends…Laura