RE:my own cf anology
Here it is... enjoy.
To Be Known
Most people are born into this world with a defying scream, leave with barely a whimper, and leave a mark few notice. There are a lucky few whose marks are forever embedded on our hearts. Astounding people they are, with a profound affect on one’s life. They defy the notion that death is the end all. Their soul and spirit are very much alive long after they are gone. What makes their souls survive beyond their time on earth? Perseverance. Grace. Defiance. Strength. Joy.
In 1961 a seemingly healthy baby named Christine Nelson was born. After health problems as a toddler, Chris was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a disease of the exocrine glands. Life expectancy was five years. Chris was three. When she died at 21, she had struggled through the longest battle of her life. On the outside Chris looked like she had given up, as her weight dropped, her face had a pallor, and her eyes lost their sparkle. But, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye” (de Saint Exupery 82). Inside Chris was still fighting, persevering on. She never gave in to the wrath of her disease. She, literally, fought to the death.
As Chris’ body betrayed her, her pain never registered on her face. On the outside, it appeared that her life was a fantastic, happy life. She had grace. Often she hid her disease from her friends and teachers, not wanting to be branded as a dying person. Even on her deathbed, she humbly and calmly uttered that she felt she was going to die. Not wanting pity or for others to feel sorrow, she fought alone, sparing others her pain by sharing only her poised, calm, happy kindness--her grace.
Many times in her life, Chris’ doctors felt that the end was near; and many times she defied them, making it through and living. When her battered and beaten body wanted to give in, she did not let it. She defied medical statistics, living four times longer than she was expected to. Why did she do this? Because she knew although she could give up, she did not want to succumb to the statistics. She miraculously found the strength inside her and pulled through.
Chris had incredible strength. In the final hours of her life, as she lay in a coma,
tears slid out from under her eyelids. The nurses had never seen anything like it; it was a testimony to her astounding strength. She relied on her strength when her pain was too much to bear. Strength is not a measure of a person’s muscle or abilities; it is a measure of how a person’s mind responds in the face of pain and adversity. Chris, although weak by many standards, had a strong mind and pushed forward when life seemed too hard to handle.
One may think that with the cloud of cystic fibrosis looming over Chris’ life, she did not experience simple pleasures of living. The truth is the contrary. Chris had an incredibly happy and joyous life. In fact, some may say she took even greater joy in life, knowing that her life may not last another year. She savored every moment, and found happiness in situations where others find nothing to be happy about. Her vibrant smile and bubbling laugh brought joy to everyone she met. Chris was joy.
Chris once said, “I want everyone to know me” (Gordon 85). She had wisdom and understanding of life few have at 90 years of age, let alone 20. The touching story of her life, which was such a joyous life despite the sadness that loomed in the shadows, ensures one thing. Will Chris ever be forgotten and unknown? No, she will not.