English VERSION (click here!)
> When Cancer Takes Everything Away > > # > > The meaning of life is about making the most of every moment.That’s what I believe and what my family has taught me. Right now, everything feels like a deep reflection, because this morning I was thinking about how hard it must have been for Rafael to face cancer. My uncle and I talked yesterday about how difficult Rafael’s passing was. In the end, he stopped breathing while everyone was asleep. > > # > > Cancer takes everything. My uncle told me he didn’t want to see him in his final state—he wanted to hold on to the joyful image he had of him. It hurt to see my grandmother cry because they were friends and had known each other for many years. People are never truly prepared to face the loss of a loved one. > > # > > There were many people at the wake; I think that showed how much Rafael was loved by so many. That matters, because he supported others. He helped everyone in my family in some way. Saying goodbye to someone is hard—you have to face the feelings of grief and loss. Everyone handles grief differently, but it’s always painful. What I mean is, people process it in different ways. > > # > > Mr. Rafael was a deeply grateful person.Every time he saw me, he’d say, “I still have the painting you gave me hanging in my living room.”“When are you going to paint again?” > > # > > He was one of the few people who encouraged me to keep making art. That’s why this loss feels so heavy. It’s even harder for my cousin, my uncle, and his wife. Family is family, and our bond is strong. Cancer wore them all down. > > # > > One of the things that surprises me most is the bond we all built with him. Rafael watched us grow up and change. The man who drank with us, grilled at family gatherings, and made jokes is gone. But I know he’s now resting. It was incredibly difficult to witness the pain of my uncle’s wife. I felt her loss when I hugged her—the pain she was holding was immense. Everyone was sad, but they also understood that they had to let him go. > > # > > Rafael chose to live his life—to be with loved ones, to travel, and to enjoy life—rather than stay in a hospital when he was first diagnosed with cancer. Doctors told him he didn’t have much time left. Yet he lived more than three years, enduring pain and doing things his own way: cherishing every moment with his loved ones and experiencing things he never could when he was younger. > > # > > I feel like I can’t focus. This is the second time I’ve had to face the loss of someone close to me and my family. Emotionally, I need to gather strength to support my uncle, my cousin, and his wife. We are very close—we go almost everywhere together—and right now, things don’t feel right. My uncle tried to smile, but I could see he was hurting. Still, we go on, despite the pain and the loss. > > # > > The only thing I can say now is that cancer takes everything. It drains a person’s energy and vitality. But each person decides how to face it and how to make the most of their time in this world. Hug the people you love and who are with you—because you never know when everything could change. Today, we are here. Tomorrow, we don’t know. > > # > > Original content by @neruel. All rights reserved ©, 2024. Images: Samsung Galaxy A54. English translation and grammar correction: Chatgpt - DeepL - Languagetool.
Posted Using INLEO