Excerpt from “My Grandfather’s Blessings”
by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D.
- So, when I had my 1st session with my psychiatrist, Dr. Gilbert, my "homework" was to read a book called "My Grandfather's Blessings," by Rachel Naomi Remem, M.D. I've created a document with an excerpt from one of the true stories that touched me deeply. It was through this story that I was able to actually see into the soul of a human, and to understand that we are made of so much more than flesh and bones. We possess divineness. This is an awesome example of that. Warning, it will touch you as well, and you may need a kleenex, but it will leave you with an overwhelming warmth and sense of spirit that lies deep within this man. And in this world, we must believe that he is not the only one. This story brought me peace. (I didn't proofread this doc, so if there are typos, sorry).
“….Other times we are strengthened by discovering beyond a doubt that our love matters to someone more than we realized possible, or that someone loves us just as we are.”
The background of this short true story is that Celia, long recovered from breast cancer, recurred. Prior to the recurrence she began a relationship with Richard, a second relationship for both of them. They loved each other, and each other’s children dearly. Richard’s first wife suffered a long and painful death from cancer.
Upon discovering the recurrence, she refused to see Richard, she refused his phone calls and returned his letters. Because Richard was relentless, she finally agreed to meet with him, intending to tell him goodbye. She explained her recurrence, told him that she had undergone another surgery and would begin chemotherapy the following week.
“He looked at her, openmouthed. ‘You have cancer?’ he asked. She nodded, the tears beginning to run down her face. ‘Oh, Celia,” he said, smiling with relief. “we can do cancer…we know how to do cancer. I thought that you didn’t love me anymore.’
