The Cheerful Oncologist

Message to a New Friend

Posted by Craig Hildreth on December 11, 2007
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It was a pleasure meeting you today. I truly enjoyed our time together and wish I could have stayed longer. Please pardon my forwardness, but I want to brag a bit about you.

When I walked into your home I was struck at how tall you stand – do you know you move without hesitation, as one who knows exactly what he wants out of this life? Not many of us can claim to face the challenges of the day with such a spark in our eyes.

You have a robust and joyful spirit that sweeps over your listeners and draws them to you – in the world of business they call this magnetism. It will serve you well in your endeavors.

I was wrong when I stated that you have done more with your life than I did when I was your age. You have accomplished more in your young life than I have done in over twice that time, because you understand and appreciate what most of us are too shallow or stingy to accept – that life is precious. It is like an elegant vase – fragile, yet lovely, and incomplete unless filled with a harvest of colors and scents from a world found beyond the doors that enclose us. With your courage and hope, you have shown us how to find that world.

It was a delight meeting you, and I look forward to our next visit. Until then, I shall pray for you, for your family, and especially for your oncologists, that they may lead you safely back to good health.

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Comments

  1. #1 joltvolta
    December 12, 2007

    Kind words, but what is the rest of the story?

  2. #2 mea
    December 12, 2007

    Your message makes me think of all the new friends I’ve met in my son’s oncologists office. Some are infants, toddlers, school-age, and adolescents like my son. At times I wish we never met: us not having to be there, they not having to be there. But they have taught me how valuable life is along with the meaning of strenght, courage, bravery, resilence, and perseverance. I hope you see your new friend soon.

  3. #3 Debara
    December 12, 2007

    Grace and truth – two qualities seldom seen in a written work today – simply stunning.

    Dr Hildreth at his best.

  4. #4 Dave Briggs
    December 13, 2007

    A Gracious hand to a fellow needy human being!
    Dave Briggs

  5. #5 Dave Briggs
    December 14, 2007

    I am new to Science Blog.com but I have made it through the whole list from A to Z. I have to say that your blog seems by far to be the most compassionate and caring for people at their very essence.
    I admire you and your work and I love the name of the blog! When people meet an oncologist I imagine it can be an extraordinarily rough time in their lives. I also imagine a number of them are having to start facing the end of their lives on planet earth.
    Your kindness and caring shows through on your posts! Keep up the fantastic job!
    Dave Briggs :~)