It’s once again time for the We Are the World Blogfest–celebrating acts of kindness and other good news that goes beyond religion and politics. Cohosts for this month are: Simon Falk, Roshan Radhakrishnan, Inderpreet Uppal, Lynn Hallbrooks, Eric Lahti, and Mary J Giese.
Before we get to this month’s feature, a quick reminder, John Maberry’s new short story collection is available as a FREE download from Amazon this weekend–August 25, 26 and 27.
See the post from Wednesday on this collection, including highlights and excerpts from two reviews of the five already received, with an average 4.6 rating.
On to what moved us this month. Although we have thankfully escaped this medical and emotional challenge in our family so far, we know others who have faced it and won. So we were moved to see this report in USA Today.
When Amy Kleiner was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in January, she knew she had a tough road ahead of her, but she also knew that her friends and family would help her weather the storm.
Kleiner’s best friend and neighbor, Tera Kiser, was there throughout her diagnosis, mastectomy and 20 chemotherapy treatments. To celebrate Kleiner’s final chemo treatment, Kiser did something extra special: She organized a parade of family and friends.
“I just felt like the Lord gave me the idea,” Kiser, 41, told TODAY. “The minute she pulled into the neighborhood we could have people there with signs just to celebrate her last treatment.”
As astonished as Kleiner was by this sweet display of love, Kiser had one more surprise in store for her.
“I wanted to have people that care about her hold a balloon and have each person let one go symbolizing her treatments,” said Kiser. “And then I wanted to [have her family] give her the last four so she could let them go herself. It was just beautiful.”
What a wonderful gesture! Moments like this should be celebrated.
Indeed they should!
This is a wonderful story of friendship and survival. What a great idea to have a parade of well-wishers waiting for her. Thanks for sharing the story and participating in this month’s #WATWB.
It sure struck me. All the wonderful networking among fellow bloggers/writers is great, but a story like this is something on a whole ‘nother level!
Thanks for sharing this heartfelt story. I’m sharing it to the #WATWB group on Facebook 🙂
Hi John – that really is showing what true friends are for … and then sharing within the family – long may Amy live on and live life to the full … with friends like Tesa – she’s in the right place … thanks for sharing – cheers Hilary
Thanks for your comment, Hilary! 🙂
What a lovely story of friendship and celebration!
Thanks, Deborah–yes it certainly is! 🙂
Great story – thank you! Uplifting, like the balloons ..at least I think they’re balloons?
Thanks, Susan! Yes, they’re balloons–the perennial favorite for celebrations of all kinds. 🙂
Such a heartwarming story! Thanks so much for sharing this and for being part of #WATWB 🙂
It is and it’s a great thing being part of WATWB
Thank you for sharing this heart-warming story, John!
Releasing those balloons must have been a bitter-sweet moment…
Writer In Transit
You are no doubt right! 🙂
A wonderful story of how a community can make a difference.. Offline as well as online.. I am sure that Amy’s recovery was supercharged.
You’re so right, Sally! Thanks for stopping by to comment. 🙂
That really is an awesome way of celebrating her success and survival. Thanks for sharing and for being a part of #WATWB
Thanks for your comment Lynn. I’m slow in replying because I missed your comment inexplicably popping into the spam folder. 🙂
And what a parade of friends and love it would have been, John. A testimony of friendship and seeing the person, in this case, Amy, is more than their disease. Thanks for sharing Simon’s Still Stanza #WATWB
Thanks, Simon. 🙂