I saw someone at church today
whom I haven’t seen in years
from opposites ends of the hallway
we met in the middle
as I drew within earshot
he said of me, ”She’s always smiling.”
I shook me head “no”
and said aloud, “not always”
he stated, “It’s not your husband with cancer.”
I countered with, “Yes. It is.”
him: “It’s pretty bad. Isn’t it?!”
me: “Stage 4. Two surgeries. Chemo now.”
him: “Is he bedridden?”
me: “Last summer for awhile,
with chemo and radiation simultaneously.
Workin’ light duty at a desk right now.”
him: “We’ve been praying, but we’ll pray harder”
me: “Thank you.
We know that’s what’s gettin’ us through.”
then we parted ways
he and his wife went one way
I went another
they are headed back to Michigan
to the church he’s senior pastor of
it was good to see him
on this Sunday morn
Turquoise Tangles 