i am applying for this grant from the SAMFund - an organization helping young cancer survivors to move forward from their diagnosis and treatment. i can apply for funds to help pay rent, car insurance, student loans, physical therapy, lots of things.
for the application, i have to write an essay on my cancer experience and what is unique about it. any suggestions? my experience is so much my day to day...that it's hard to piece out what is unique. any suggestions?
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
-Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi 1207-1273, written in 1230
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5 comments:
Hey Meg.
I'm so sorry to hear about Willie.
Thinking of you,
J
How about printing out your blogs during your treatment - they were so raw - and editing them down to a "blog essay summary"?
m
Like Mary, I think there is lots of fodder among your blog entries. Perhaps starting with you as a young person already in the throes of deciding what to do next when you received the terrible news that affected differently what to do next. Then I'd launch into how you decided your next steps and what the challenges are to decision-making from the cancer impact. I have little doubt you will put together something quite amazing. Best luck and love,
Susan
Meghan, one thing you've done throughout your experience that is very unique, in my opinion, is your ability to rise above the easy route of self-pity and self-concern by doing research to inform everyone of dangerous products/foods/medications/etc...showing us a better way to live, hopefully decreasing our susceptibility to carcinogens, and helping us become smarter and more outspoken consumers.
Your honest and heartfelt blog not only keeps us informed of your progress and the ups and downs of being a 'cancer patient', it cares about us...you really go out of your way to teach us...you're truly amazing.
Linda
Meghan:
Have a wonderful first-day-on-the-new-job!!!!!!!!
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