Snowflakes - a manifestation of art and symmetry in nature.According to physicists, one thing you won’t find are snowflakes that are alike. It is very much like us humans who are as unique as our own thumbprints.
The scene was brunch yesterday at Jonathan’s, a favorite with Ruth and some of my very best lady friends, Maria, Judy and Celine. In celebration of her own holiday, Hanukkah, Ruth gave each one of us a Christmas ornament for this year – a big silver snowflake.
Nothing flaky about these friends of mine, they are genuine and very open about almost everything. Celine made no bones about her disapproval of Caroline Kennedy’s political aspirations. Judy and the rest of us argued our cases, Ruth stayed out of it and then we went on with our business of filling our bellies with Jonathan’s best.
Having seen the worst situations one could ever imagine as a Social Worker, Celine shows strength of character one could wish for themselves. It was a lifelong training ground. It defined her as a person. I’ve seen how she struggled to conquer that grief when John, her husband, passed away almost two years ago. But now, what do I say to her? I can’t find the right words; I can only imagine what she must be feeling right this moment.
I gave her a big hug yesterday, and whispered in her ear “I do not have too many words to say to you these days, Celine. They are all here in my heart. I swear, if I could only take some of that fear away from you”. And she said, “I know, Cecilia. And thank you”. There were no tears.
She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Soon she’ll be going for chemotherapy and 36 rounds of radiation. We’ll be there to provide support to her as she goes thru the roughest times and all the stresses. I know she’ll be strong, I know she doesn’t want us to feel sorry for her. The only worries she has are that, on her worst days of chemo sessions, she won’t be able to take her granddaughter Michelle to school, and that for a long while she won’t be able to play golf with Judy and Maria.
One single snowflake that falls on the ground will only melt and just disappear into nothingness. If a handful of them cling to one another on the way down as they fall, they’ll create a bond strong enough to stick to the ground and form that white shimmering blanket that could last for a long time. We will have to find some common ground. Unique in our own way, like each single flake taking on its very own shape, we will all touch that same ground.
We will be there for you, Celine.
