THE END

“…and they lived happily ever after.
The end”

This is the classic wrap up and the end of a child’s story. So satisfying, so calming. It lets everybody know that the world and everyone in it is safe.

Very soon we grow up and know that ending is way more complicated. The ever after has a lot of wrinkles and surprises.

I’m at THE END of my cancer journey. I beat breast cancer, then thyroid cancer
TWICE

Am I at the end? I don’t know. A lot of people stay attached to the worry of it, carrying around a burden about whether it makes a comeback.

I’m reminded of Mr. Incredible saying “Sometimes I just want [the world] to stay saved! You know, just for a little bit?”

I made the intentional choice NOT to hoist that worry burden. However, a negative leaves a vacuum. If I don’t worry, what will I do instead?

I first wanted to hide during the time of weakness, and then I went very public. I was scary to be public and show my changing visage while I went through it.

People ask “How are you doing?”

I can say with justification, “I’m done now.”

And all those within hearing can feel the calming warmth of that “happily ever after” we’ve learned to expect. Still as grownups we see the shadows at the end of the firelight.

I’m a writer and an artist. How do I creatively express this story I’m in? It’s mine to tell. Real life gave the gift of an ending. A conclusion, for whatever that means in the long years of my life. If Joseph Campbell’s hero has a thousand faces, this hero has faced a thousand epic adventures.

I get to craft how to tell it. I think for the moment, I’ll side with Mr. Incredible and let my world stay saved for a little. I look forward to another day when I get to tell more of this story