The world lost a sweet soul this week. Cancer, in all it’s forms, is an unfair disease. It never discriminates.
Lynda Boutilier was an amazing, shining example of what people should strive to be – kind, sweet, positive. She fought her cancer bravely, but succombed January 7, 2009 at the age of 35.
Sybil Deford just wanted to tell her story, and bravely fought cancer 3 times before finally succombing on February 12, 2005 at the age of 32.
Sybil wrote a lot about her cancer, and, like Lynda, always tried to remain positive. Below is an except from her journal that I think is wisdom for everyone.
Treasure the real stuff and let go of the trivialities. The trivialities are really most of everything.
Be your best self, it’s enough to be that. Decide what that is and stick with it. To be less is to waste the beautiful experience of your life, and you don’t want to waste any of it, because it can vanish in an INSTANT and then you’ll have to start all over again, which would be a real drag.
Feed your soul and seek Truth. And go without fear, because fear is the enemy of faith. And faith is everything, man.
And always remember that the worst thing that can happen is really not that bad.
It’s a wild and rangy and overgrown road out there, and we need to keep our legs strong and our machetes sharp. But we also need to remember the soft things. So sing, look up at the sky a lot, and pick some daisies on your way. You’ll thank me later for the daisy part, trust me. 
Find a nice rock to sharpen your machete, and whack away at the wild woods. And if worst comes to worst, you can always throw the rock.
Forge your way bravely, which means going in even if you’re scared, because to not go in is fatal. (And really lame. I mean, come on.)
Be joyful. Don’t waste your life being unhappy. It’s not worth it. As someone who’s had a lot of time to sit and think about stuff and watch life cruise on by, I can tell you that the only thing I want right now is to go back living my life, even the boring tedious parts. I treasure them ALL.
And remember to be kind to the people around you, because it’s their hands that hold your ropes to the earth. Without them, you’ll just float away. Remember that everyone’s doing the best they can, and judging and expecting is foolish and more wasting of your precious spirit. Besides, you’re not going to change anyone’s path, unless they want to. Go your way, and walk in peace around everyone else making their way. We’re all just people here, having an experience.
Let it go.
-Sybil Glory Deford (livejournal: fey), 1973 – 2005
Rest in peace, ladies. See you in the next life.
