It's so easy to get away from the things that really matter.

 

Once upon a time in a land far, far away I met a woman through work. I was selling furniture and she was a designer. She was ten years my junior and our birthdays were a day apart. We deemed ourselves Libra Soul Sisters and every year we would check in with niceties and congratulations for making it through another trip around the sun. She's one of those people that I will feel comfortable with even if I don't see her for years. It's one of those bonds.

 

Over the course of time, my Libra friend left the furniture world but we stayed connected through Facebook. I've watched her get married and have a beautiful daughter all through the 2D world. Her daughter is now six or seven and she's a delight. A personality that beams and shines through the digital socialsphere. The cover picture is of all the heart rocks she has gathered over time and then shares with us on Valentine's Day. So Sweet.

 

Well, there's more to the story. Husband man is a massage therapist. His career has been spent working one on one with individuals to help them feel better. He's owned his own business and worked as an independent provider- a true generous spirit doing what he could to make the world a better place for others. Admirable. COVID happened and this became pretty challenging.  NYS shut down this small business during the height of the pandemic.   Albeit challenging, Husband Man is not the only person who this has happened to. However, there is another part. Last March Husband Man was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer. Cancer is a hard word to hear. Stage 4. That's something you NEVER want to hear. He underwent chemo and radiation for 4 months and it was presumed that he was in the clear. Everything was looking up. Until Christmas time. The standard follow up scans and scopes came up with suspicious masses. Further testing confirmed it was positive so there were more surgeries and treatments and radiation and feeding tubes and recovery.

 

My Libra Soul Sister and her beautiful daughter are helping dad be as comfortable as possible. Spirits are high and they seem to be staying positive. But as we all know, this social media thing only goes so deep. The truth is that they have spent all their savings and retirements on keeping things together. The financial challenges associated with cancer are not something anyone wants to talk about. It's humbling enough having to adjust to changes in lifestyle when adding oncologists and treatments and rest and doctors visits. The idea of having to worry about paying bills and keeping a roof over your family's head is downright confusing. One minute everything seems okay and in an instant, life can change.

 

This Go Fund Me Page is being dedicated to my Libra Soul Sister and her beaming child and the Husband Man. The family has asked for privacy and anonymity so I hope that you will still find a way to donate without names or pictures. I tell you, it's real. I will also tell you that ANY AMOUNT donated will make a difference to this family.

 

 

With love and gratitude,

Bethany