Putting into words what I’ve learned through my cancer is a struggle. It’s not that I can’t think of anything – far from it. The lessons I’ve learned are many, and I’ll mention some.
What’s difficult is that the totality of who I am now is informed – good and bad – by my experience: my prime years were wasted by illness; I didn’t maintain friendships which have never been renewed; I lost habits of hard work; I can’t concentrate like I used to.
On the other hand, I’ve learned a healthy awareness of my own limits: the value of rest and modest ambitions; the blessing of Christian fellowship through trial; a looser hold over this passing life.
I certainly learned more of myself and God. Sometimes, when someone sees my scars and asks what happened, I quip, ‘I prayed for maturity.’
