In October of this year, 2009, one of my daughters, Crescent, was diagnosed with breast cancer. The subsequent testing, waiting, and surgery she has endured with grace and courage have inspired me but also deterred me from thinking about writing. Thanksgiving was a special one for me and my family as the staging, surgery, and apparent good outcomes have been positive. Subsequent treatment will definitely entail radiation but the discernment about whether the radiation will be preceded by chemo has yet to be made. December 15, is the current date for that chemo decision.

The weeks recently preceding this post have given me more insight into my own convictions and world view. I have been altered by the experience. Some confirmations of personal positions held entering entering the most immediate storm and some subsequent reformulations or outright rejection of deficiencies have been warranted.

Following a brief but I hope thoughtful time, I want to relate particularly the views that have seemed to be helpful to me during the recent experience and sketch some new perspectives gained about and from self and others. If you, a reader, find any merit for yourself, I would be pleased.