It also happens to be the surname of Tim, who is married to Suzy's cousin, Jenny. (And it's the header on the website of the organization developed to support them, BrightLife.)
In January of 2010, three months before their wedding, Tim was diagnosed with colon cancer and he's been fighting it ever since. It's been two long years, and he's still fighting...but it's tough. They've tried several different treatments, and he's now started a new cocktail of drugs. He gets chemo every other week, which means that he feels sick about 30-40% of the time. (You can follow his story here.)
This week is one of those weeks. We took dinner to Tim and Jenny, but not just any dinner. Because of the cancer and chemo, Tim is supposed to eat as healthy as possible. Suzy searched for a recipe online and found Black Bean Enchiladas that are organic, vegan, and gluten-free. (The recipe doesn't tell you how to make the sauce, but it's easy - char the tomatoes and peppers on a grill or in a cast iron skillet, then put everything into a food processor.)
I was surprised...
First of all, I was surprised that the dish was actually pretty good, a real shock considering the lack of certain ingredients (e.g. meat) and the inclusion of others (e.g. vegan cheese, which I'm sure would surprise me further with how it is made).
I was also surprised by how healthy the meal was - low sodium, high fiber, lots of veggies and vitamins. It is amazing how unhealthy our "normal" eating can be, and Tim even commented on how his doctor(s) had mentioned the negative effects of our overly processed diets.
And I was surprised by Tim. He looked rough. He sounded tired. But there was still a brightness about him. As we visited and ate, he asked about my work at the church, we talked sports and joked, he played with our baby boy and brightened up his day (and ours, too!).
I've got amazing respect for Tim and Jenny. I can't imagine having to deal with what they already have before they're even thirty. I don't think I could do it. I would be consumed by the darkness of despair.
But Tim and Jenny are not. Even as they walk in shadow, there is a light within them. They have a bright life...and by that light, they brighten others' lives as well.
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| Tim making our baby boy's face light up |
*If you like to play golf (or even if you don't) and want to do something to help others, check out the BrightLife Tee It Up Tournament. You can play, sponsor a hole, donate something for the silent auction, or volunteer to help with the tournament, and all proceeds will go to the Greenville Hospital System's institute for Translational Oncology Research (iTOR).
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