Ascension : News From The Grotto - Thought For The Week
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 25.10.2007 (Article Archived on 08.11.2007)

This past Sunday a large group of Island folks showed up for the Runway Dash. This was an event to raise money for the Everyman charity, which raises money to fight men’s cancer.

 There have been a number of fundraising events for women’s cancers, but the first dedicated to the cancers and diseases that target our men. 

 As usual, a good turnout was seen.  I must say, that for such a small population, Ascension Islanders can be proud of their history in giving.  More than 180 Islanders ran, walked or biked their way to the end of the runway and back. There were little children in push carts, barely toddling, biking and walking.  There were older folks with braces on their knees, all ready to make it to the end!

 I think it has something to do with the fact, that as a small community, we know each other, we know what happens to our neighbours and our friends.  There is nothing impersonal about living within a small community.  Sometimes we might resent our fellow Islanders knowledge about too many details of our lives, but for the most part it is a good thing.

                 When facing difficult times, as anyone knows who has faced serious disease, especially cancer or even the possibility of cancer, we know that we need the strength that our faith can give us.  Hopefully we will have the help of loved ones to lean on, and gain strength from as we go through the tests, the diagnosis, the treatments, and the aftermath.  But no matter how much help and support and love we receive, there are still the times late at night, when we wake up in the dark of the night, and the worry, the pain or the fear threatens to overwhelm us.

                 This is when we need to remember the words of the psalm. 

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains:

From where shall come my help?

My help shall come from the Lord

Who made heaven and earth.”

When we need help, when we need strength, it is always there for us.  It is His gift of our family and friends who support us, who help us through the dark times.  It is in His gift of inner strength that most of us don’t even know that we possess until we need it.  It is in His gift of calm in the dark moments. 

                When it is a friend or loved one who is facing a difficult medical diagnosis, such as the diseases that we are fighting against today on the Runway Dash, it is our faith that will give us the strength to help them along their journey.  It will give us the strength to handle whatever happens, and to make it through.

                 So, when faced with the possibility, probability, or fact of a tough medical situation, always remember that no matter how you might feel, you are not alone.  There are many who will support you, love you, and help you through this.  And know that in those times when you wake up alone and feel frightened, that God is always there to listen to your fears, your worries, and your concerns.  The best friend is one who listens.  So have a chat with Him, and know that He is always listening.

                 For all the men in our lives, the fathers, husbands, partners, sons, brothers, brothers-in-law, nephews, cousins and friends who might one day be in need of our efforts today, may God bless all of them.  And may God bless everyone who turned out to today to support them.