Our local newspaper the “Beachcomber” comes in to the ranch on Wednesday.  This AM I opened our copy for a perusal of local happenings.   The front page had two stories, one about the Japanese internment back in the 1940’s and a story about health care on the Island.  There was plenty of other stuff in there, sports, article about gray whales, upcoming music.  Eventually I got to the obits.

I read Terri’s obituary because I knew her.  Our kid’s were on the same baseball teams and we had other connections, small island.   She was a sweetheart, loved by all, mom, caterer, lunch lady, community volunteer.  She succumbed to a “fast growing cancer”.e

Then I read Susan’s.  She was our daughter’s Spanish teacher in high school.  She had limited vision and had a guide dog named Sloan.  I don’t think I ever met her although I am sure Rebecca had, being a substitute teacher, probably taught her class on occasion.  Yea, so she succumbed to carcinoid cancer.  I don’t know what that is exactly but a cancer.

Then Jack, don’t think I ever met him, worked in the hospitality business.  He looked like a fun guy, “He threw a party!”.  He was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2008 and died on May 8th this year.

That’s it: three obituaries, three neighbors, three cancers, three deaths. Seems pretty grim.   We will mourn and go on, as always.  That’s what we do.  But at the same time cancer reinforces it’s hold on us, on our mind and spirit.  A seeming juggernaut, incessantly coming at us, taking young and old.

I sit thinking about this and watching the clouds go by the window.   Am I learning something from these clouds?  They are broken letting the sun through occasionally.  Is there room perhaps in all this cancer glum for something different, for some sunshine occasionally.  I am thinking about “Cancer the Musical!”.   Is there room for sunbreaks in our fear?  Do we get to take a break?  Can I make you smile in the midst of your “battle against cancer”.   Would it be like a USO show with Bob Hope for the shell shocked troops, this musical?

Well, this is what I am up to this morning.  We are walking in half an hour.   I am putting the paper down.  Love you, Felipe.x.