The quote at the top of my blog from the book Life of Pi reminds me daily to continue my efforts to shine the light of hope on those in the midst of the cancer battle or, in Jacques’ case, to share God’s consolations with a dying friend.
Ironically, it was Jacques who suggested that quote long before his cancer time. Like Pi, he now shares his small life raft with a voracious nemesis surrounded by stormy seas.
He is on oxygen these days as his lung capacity has been reduced significantly. When I visited this afternoon, he was having one of his very good days. We chatted for awhile under the shade of the crabapple tree in his backyard. After about twenty minutes, he said,
“I feel really well. Let’s go for a walk. I really haven’t seen my garden since I got home a week ago.”
He carefully disengaged his oxygen line and asked me to take his arm.
We made our way to the back of his yard past scores of flowers, many in full bloom. He beamed when he saw how well his tomato plants were doing. He had asked his brother Roger to pick off the small tomatoes yesterday to allow the plant to strengthen itself before putting out more fruit. I’m learning from an expert.
Much to my surprise, he then took off by himself into the garden to inspect his cucumber plants that seemed to be languishing in too much shade. At least that’s what I was thinking until Jacques insisted they were doing very well for mid June. And here I thought I knew cucumbers.
Upon finishing his tour of inspection, he informed me that I was on his tomato list. First in line for some of his tomato crop this summer is his ninety two year old friend Margaret. I'm second followed by Anne Johnston who helped with the actual planting. Sorry Anne, it must be my French connection with Jacques.
As I was leaving, he told me that he had some books to give me, some Catholic reading from authors like Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen and Jean Vanier
“Are you trying to make me into a saint?” I quipped when he said he had two full boxes for me.
“Not really,” he replied, “but these might help.”
All in all, it was a great visit and I look forward to spending more time with Jacques on the weekend and celebrating his birthday with him next Tuesday.
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