My journey began like many other’s journeys. I traveled on small, safe roads until I learned enough to venture onto the busy freeway. Once I made it onto the highways, I felt powerful, free, and successful. I traveled long distances on the freeway. I watched others struggle, but the largest struggle I had was a poorly managed road with potholes that made the drive uncomfortable and sometimes beat up my car more than I would have liked, but I always made it through in a short amount of time and was cruising at top speeds again. I noticed all the exits along the way, but I had a destination I was focused on. Those exits would only slow me down. Besides, the towns they led to weren’t places anyone chooses to go. Most people were forced onto those exits and off the ultimate path to their chosen destination.
On September 18, 2012 I began to be pushed towards one of these exits. It’s name was Cancer. I began to imagine what the town might look like if I went that way and fought turning off my safe freeway. On September 21, 2012 I was forced off the freeway to the exit whose name had been hidden. As I slowed down my car to stop at the light I thought I got a glimpse of the town. I still didn’t want to go there. I didn’t see a place to eat or rest. I was again forced to turn the opposite way I had planned and found myself on a 2-lane road that hadn’t seen many cars. This road led away from the freeway. I kept straining my neck, looking for a sign that would direct me back knowing that with every minute that passed that sign was less likely to appear. I thought about the people on the freeway. They had no idea what this little road was like. Some tried to imagine and understand, but this is a road that can only be experienced. I kept driving, slowly and cautiously looking for any sign that might take me back to the freeway. I finally spotted the sign. On October 1, 2012 I read the sign welcoming me to the city of Breast Cancer. I wanted to turn around, but it was impossible. I was now so far from the freeway that the only way to get back was to travel on this one-way street through the town.
I found a hotel to stay in called “Wait and See.” I ate daily at the restaurant of “Hope.” I took my coffee from a cafe called “Faith.” I would have multiple cups a day. I found maps telling me how to get through the town. They gave great directions, but always required the slowest movement.
My world slowed down in this town. The freeway was fast with everyone focusing on their destination. But, this town was filled with moments. Each moment was precious, each moment was lived. As much as I didn’t want to be in this town, I enjoyed the pace. I enjoyed not being in a hurry. I enjoyed seeing the path in front of my feet. I noticed, rock, dirt, flowers, sunsets, and trees that I had never seen on the ever-moving freeway. The days inched by like a slug looking for rare food he smells. Each day had value. Each person I spoke with had value, their time was worth gold to me, their words like sweet balm, their touch was a boost of energy helping me see my way through the town.
No one chooses to stay in the city of Breast Cancer. Everyone keeps moving, sometimes more slowly than others, but they move nonetheless. I know that on the outskirts of town signs will lead me back to the freeway, but I might begin taking the hidden roads and enjoying the sights and the people more. I know I’ll eventually make it to my destination, I might as well enjoy the trip.
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