Chapter 21/Losing Cheryl's light

Cheryl Ross of Pembine, Wisconsin was a beautiful young mother who had everything going for her. She loved her family, but she also had an intense love of life, itself, and was always optimistic.

But immediately after the birth of her second baby, Alea, doctors discovered that Cheryl had breast cancer. Even after removing her breast, the doctors said her chances for survival were not good.

Cheryl and her kind and creative husband, Dan, an artist, lived in a lovely but isolated cottage out in the country. Now, Cheryl needed to talk with people.

After she wrote me a long letter about how precious life is, I began to tell her story on TV. People responded with cheerful letters and visits to Cheryl. One group even had a picnic for her family and put up a swing set for her little boy, Autumn. This is a letter she wrote after one of our stories:

Dear Glen:

Well, today's excitement is over and the kids are finally settled down for the night after a story, drink, catching and disposing of a woodtick on Autumn etc. etc.

It's really quiet and the emotional part of the whole deal today just came over me. Writing is the only way I know to get over it.

There was so much activity and so many people here today that I wasn't sure if I had thanked you for your part in getting Autumn and Alea the swing set. Thank you. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and I treasure your friendship. It has meant a lot to me throughout the past year, the most difficult and the most rewarding year of my life.

I hope the next time we get together it will be a celebration of life and good health. Meanwhile, remember that each day is a big, juicy, red strawberry there for you (and all of us) to enjoy fully.

Sincerely
Cheryl

Cheryl seemed to be holding her own for about six months but despite her optimism, the cancer began to spread.

"At first, I was terrified," she said after the doctor gave her the bad news. "The terror is still there but not as consuming. I can't sleep and have been hanging on to my kids."

Cheryl said that her little boy, Autumn, sensed that something was wrong and was concerned. Cheryl comforted him the best she could.

"I don't think about the future," she said. "I've lost control over my life."

But Cheryl continued to tell her story to help other people appreciate their lives and families.

Then I received this letter from Cheryl's friend, Carol:

It is a real comfort to me knowing that so many people care about Cheryl.

Her condition has taken a turn for the worse: she is struggling with fluid in her lungs. I'm sure she would appreciate hearing from you in the near future.

I called Cheryl immediately. They put the phone to her ear and I told her how much she meant to everyone. But she couldn't talk back to me.

When I announced her death on the air, my voice cracked with emotion. We had lost Cheryl's light.

I made a tape of her stories, so that when Cheryl and Dan's kids grew up they would know how special their young mother was.

Dear Glen:

Thanks for making the tape of the interviews with Cheryl, Dan wrote.

Cheryl and myself thought of you as a very good friend. It is nice to know there are people like you out there in a world that often seems uncaring.

Thank you again for all you have done.

Love,
Dan Ross and kids and Cheryl in spirit.


Dan is an artist and several months later at Christmas he sent me a card that he had made. There was a lovely sketch of his cottage on the cover. Inside was this poem:

I looked for my soul but soul I could not see.

I looked for my God but my God eluded me.

I looked for a friend and then I found all three.

Anonymous