Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Tangled in the Barbed Wire




As I walked around the bend in the path I saw her. I saw my friend Chris. She was trapped and tangled up in barbed wire. Fighting this barbed wire, trying to free herself from it, only seems to cause her more pain. Cutting her and damaging her arm so much that it makes fighting to be free from it even harder. The barbed wire gouged her arm so horribly that it now dangles at her side swelling, aching and useless...

I stood there, in shock. Wanting to help so bad, reaching out but she is too far away! I can't reach her! All I can do is talk to her, let her know that I am here...too far away to help her get untangled but close enough that she can hear my voice.

I try and encourage her, I raise my voice to travel to her, hoping she can hear my words of encouragement and love. Hoping that somehow, my words can bring some relief to her pain and encouragement to keep working to get untangled. Wishing so badly there was more I could do.


But my words are all I can offer her. As she grows tired of fighting against it and the pain becomes too overwhelming, I try and tell her, "Chris! Look at the beauty around you. Can you take some comfort in the beauty around you?"
and she replies, "Jane, remember, I used to be like you, a photographer! Taking beautiful pictures, seeing the beauty around me and lifting my camera to capture it all. But this barbed wire has torn my arm up so badly that I can no longer even hold my camera."
I realize there is nothing I can do but just stay with her, letting her know how much I care. So I stay, as the sky changes...I stay...

As night comes and the sun sets...I stay...I will not leave her, I will stay until the sun has gone and I will be there in the morning when the sun rises again, to keep by her side as she battles to get free from her bondage of this barbed wire called stage 4 mestatic breast cancer. I will not leave you, I will stay...



29 comments:

  1. Oh JANE, that is......sorry i am speachless......THANK YOU JANE for being who you ARE....
    Karrie

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  2. Jane that moved me to tears! I wish I had the words to let you know how much you moved me with your words. I'm so glad I can call you my friend! I love you with all of my heart! Thank you for always being there!
    Chris

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  3. Jane, I'm sitting here with tears and I can hardly see this screen to let you know how special those words really are. So moving and emotional. Thank you for loving our friend...I love you both! And I wish with all my heart, mind and soul you both can be free of the barbwire!

    Pat

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  4. Oh Janie, that was just beautiful. To have a friend like you must mean the world to Chris.
    Dawn

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  5. The tears are getting in the way from me saying anything else.

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  6. Jane, what a wonderful friend you are. Teary eyed here too!
    Diane

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  7. I love you both. Thank you for sharing this. I have been awestruck.

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  8. That is simply beautiful and you are a wonderful friend. So moving. May God Bless you both.

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  9. amazing! the pix are amazing, the message is massive.
    YES CHRIS CAN!

    {{{HUGS}}}
    Martha

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  10. The lump in my throat is next to unbearable and the ache in my heart is consuming, your words have moved me so. Trully beautiful! Just to know Chris is to love her.

    Love you both,
    hugs

    Mary K

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  11. wow. janie- wow.

    wow.

    Yes Chris Can.

    and yes she is blessed to have you.

    big hugs to you both. I love you.
    -jenn

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  12. Jane,
    You are as beautiful as you are talented,inside and out. Your compassion and friendship has touched me beyond measure.In the terror of my thoughts,I think of my cancer friends and I'm empowered...I'm stronger than I had ever known because dear friend I am not alone.That means so much to me. We are in this together and I thank you for your strenghth and I thank you for the hand that you have extended to so many of us..I will never let go. God Bless you ,
    Love Janie Massey

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  13. Janie, that message is so incredibly beautiful. Thank you for sharing this with us, and Chris, I hope you can find some peace in each day, and enjoy the beauty around you....even if it's knowing you have friends who care about you, that don't know you personally. The tears are still pouring, and this has touched me deeply....

    JessE

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  14. Thank you for more reasons than one. Thank you for sending such a special message to such a special person who I love dearly.

    And thank you for giving me some much needed perspective today.

    Your message and your images are perfect.

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  15. Wow...this is just beautiful Jane. I admire you and Chris so much and pray that you both get better and are freed from this pain. Thank you for being who you are, for sharing your talent...not only your photos but your wonderful way with words. You are amazing...and Chris as well. This is so powerful...thank you!

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  16. wow...the photos and the words are both amazing. I, too, am crying.
    Very powerful stuff.
    You are both in my prayers!
    Marti

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  17. Oh Jane! I am moved by not only your words but the strength you and Chris have both shown. Here I sit feeling sorry for this silly flu I have. Shame on me. Bravo to my warrior friends. Chris I wish for you to become untangled and pick up that camera again. I pray for you to heal my friend.
    Jenn Walsh

    Jenn Walsh

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  18. Amazing, powerful, and inspiring. Reminds me how incredibly strong you two women are.

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  19. wow. I don't get around to mpix anymore and had no idea Chris. This was beautifully written Jane... I can hardly type this through my tears. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.

    Sarah

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  20. Jane (and Chris)...there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you both (all of my friends afflicted with this horrible disease). No one knows the words strength and bravery like you.

    This was amazing, and how true. We are all so far away from each other, but yet we can band together to show love and support...to help you keep fighting. Please don't stop!!!! Love you both....debi

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  21. Jane this is amazing. The dedication, the photographs, the friendship and support you have for each other, and the fight in both of you. You are both awesome people and I think of you all the time. Thanks for posting this. I love you guys.

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  22. Thank you all so much for the out pouring of love and support! I appreciate it so much and I know Chris does too! Thank you to those who have shared the link to here on Facebook. Tears welled up each time I saw that and reading each comment. I felt there was a message here for many more then just Chris. I am glad I could share my heart with you all.

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  23. I admire you both...I'm not sure I would have the courage to be who you are and to fight the fight the way I've seen Chris fight. True Hero's! The images speak for themselves but the words just bring it all together. I've met Chris and she is one amazing woman and I see here Jane you are amazing too. God Bless! Becky Gregory

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  24. MOM, I am shocked. I could feel the emotion in this. I honestly have been blown away by the way your beautiful art form shows the best portrayal of what is in your mind.

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  25. Ahem..just so you know..Evan didn't write that up there...I did. I must have been signed in to Ev's account. Sorry!

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  26. Beautiful, Jane....simply beautiful. I cried for you..for the emotion I felt while reading your words and seeing your artwork. I cried for, Chris, for what she must be going through. For the friendship that you share. For all of the love this made me feel. I love you, JaneJaneJane!! Sooo glad you are a fellow MisFitz and a dear friend!

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  27. Oh Jane. Thank you for sharing this with us. You have such insight and a beautiful way with words and photos. Thank you.

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  28. Wow, beautiful. I too am all teary eyed. You both are beautiful, wonderful strong women.

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  29. Wow! I am glad and honored to know you guys. Even though I've never even see either of you in person. You guys project goodness, hope, compassion, and LOVE. Your post is moving beyond words. Thanks...Chris

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