We are living neath the great Big Dipper
We are washed by the very same rain
We are swimming in the stream together
Some in power and some in pain
We can worship this ground we walk on
Cherishing the beings that we live beside
Loving spirits will live forever
We ‘re all swimming to the other side . . .
Pat Humphries
A Facebook post caught my attention at the end of July. It was from the American Cancer Society. They were starting a “Swim 5 Miles Challenge”. I thought what the heck, I’v been meaning to get back into the pool, why not now?
What I love most about this challenge is reading all the posts from the other swimmers. There are awkward pictures, stories of yardage, and a whole lot of effort. Most of us are not great swimmers, but we’re all trying to get it done. And the group truly is truly “swimming in the stream together.”
Also, raising money for the American Cancer Society is important to me because I lived through stage three breast cancer. I have to admit changing into my suit in the locker room is the one place my lack of breasts makes me feel a little conspicuous. But hey, there is no frontal drag holding me back as I swim my mile each day. And I’m also a walking poster child for, “go get your mammogram”.
When I swim I also think about all those I know and loved who also had cancer. Pool time was often prayer time for me. With each lap I would pray for a different person, people like Jerry, Denise, Steve and so many others. These days while swimming, I am remembering Sam and his family.
Sam died on July 11th after living bravely with brain cancer for five years. He and his family were an active part of the congregation I served. Sam would often come to Wednesday night confirmation after having worked out. He would come sweaty with one of his beloved protein shakes and join us in class. I recently found in my basement part of Sam’s final confirmation paper.
Sam wrote, “I feel God help me in the gym lift heavier weights so that I can grow bigger and stronger. He helps me in the classroom stay focused because we all know it’s not the easiest thing to do. He helps me with my family so we understand each other and stay close as a family. I don’t know why there is so much pain and suffering in the world; I like to think God helps people and eventually he will have helped everyone find their dreams.” His words written at 16 held true to who he was at 26.
I feel God help me to be stronger. Sam was so strong given all that he endured in these past five years, four rounds of radiation, three brain surgeries and massive amounts of chemotherapy. His strength and endurance, along with good medical care gave him more time. As Kelly, his mom, said when we met together, “We should have lost him that first night of surgery, but somehow we were gifted this extra time.” Extra time together because of Sam’s sheer will and strength.
And through all the treatments Sam showed incredible empathy toward others. His kindness shone through as he asked how other patients were doing, concerned about their pain and progress. As Rachel, his sister, wrote in his obituary, “Sam was wise beyond his years, even before his diagnosis. He was so selfless and kind, always caring about others above himself. Throughout his illness, he never complained, and always worried more about other cancer patients and his family.”
Sam knew suffering, but he didn’t let it define who he was. He courageously and kindly kept going on. His bedroom shelves had all of the things he had made out of legos during his years of treatment. These included intricate star wars creations and models of performance cars. Small pieces intricately put together to create an incredible whole.
In our lifetimes we don’t have all the pieces, we can’t see how it all fits together. What Sam created in life and out of lego’s was amazing, R2 D2, space ships, storm troopers and more were finished. But we ourselves are not done. At any one time in this life we hold only a few precious pieces and we do the best we can. But someday God does show us the whole and how the pieces of life fit together. Sam now knows for the force was strong in him.
Sam has crossed over to the other side. As his family wrote, Sam lived bravely, leading with kindness, patience, generosity, humor, sincerity, and love. Pass it on in his honor.
I will remember him as I count my laps. And I trust that,
Loving spirits will live forever
We ‘re all swimming to the other side
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