The things I'm learning as I go.
First, let me start here by saying that traditionally I am not great at walking with people through difficult times. I am a very internal processor. I think I have learned, somewhat, how to listen, how to just be present and when to hold my tongue (definitely a work in progress). But I'm not the strongest "jump into action" person. I'm much more likely to feel the pain of someone I love going through the fire, but not act.
One thing I think I'll take away from this experience of walking through cancer with Alex is: just show up. If you know the person who is in the midst of the hard pretty well, just show up. Hard things, as it turns out, can be very isolating. People don't want to intrude (myself included), they don't know how the individual is handling things, they don't want to be a bother. But sometimes in the middle of hard days you just need company, a kind word and to know someone cares.
{This is mostly a note to my future self who will probably still struggle with this}.
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